To the Beat of a New Drum: The Chicago Chiefs of the FABL

[HerbD]

Win: Wood(2-6)
Wood 8.0 IP, 6 HA, 1 ER
Bloom(POG) 3-4, 3 RS, RBI, 2B, BB
Zimmerman 4-5, RS, 2 RBI
Padgett 3-5, 2 RS, 2 RBI, HR(20)
Shearer 2-5, 2 RS, 2 RBI, HR(20)
Clifford and Gellatly 2 hits each


Loss: John Thomas(6-3)
John Thomas 7.1 IP, 7 HA, 5 ER
Zimmerman and Padgett 2 hits and double each



Win: Osbourne(11-11)
Osbourne 8.2 IP, 10 HA, 2 ER
Flanagan(POG) 4-5, 3 RBI, 2B
Padgett HR(21)
Gellatly 3 hits
Johnson, Osbourne, Wallace 2 hits each



The last time we saw the Dynamos they swept us at home so it felt pretty good to go into Detroit and take two of three while they are still
trying to chase down the Pioneers. The surprise is that John Thomas took the lone loss in what is the worst outing of his young FABL
career. In the other two games Wood and Osbourne pitched what could be considered their best FABL games this season combining for
just three earned runs over 16.1 innings. The offense also showed up for those games with the Chiefs scoring in double digits both times
while only giving Thomas two runs to work with.

Player of the Series

Al Padgett

Padgett hit his team-leading 21st home run as one of his six hits in the series. He hit .500 for the three games while knocking in four and
scoring six times. He had at least one hit, run scored, RBI, and extra-base hit in each of the three games.

[HerbD]

Win: Cipolla(13-10)
Cipolla 7.0 IP, 5 HA, 4 ER
Clifford 3-5, 4 RBI, 2B
Bloom 4-4, 2 RS, 3B, BB
Flanagan 2-4, RS, 3 RBI
Siniscalchi 2 hits


Loss: Andrews(3-6)
Andrews 3.0 IP, 7 HA, 6 ER
Zimmerman 3-5, RS, RBI
Shearer 1-2, RS, RBI, 2B, 3 BB
Tucker 2 hits



Loss: Wood(2-7)
Wood 3.2 IP, 6 HA, 7 ER
Bloom 3-4, 3 RS, 3 RBI, 2 HR(9)
Zimmerman 3 hits
Flanagan, Padgett, Rader, Shearer 2 hits each



You give up 28 runs in a three-game series and you feel very lucky to come home with one victory. The pitching, all around, was not
good in this series and it continues to be disappointing. We understand that three of these guys are rookies but to continue giving up six
and seven runs in just three or so innings is not going to cut it. We head home to Chicago to host Pittsburgh for a mid-week series with the
Minors one game ahead of us in the standings.

Player of the Series

Ed Bloom

The offense was there the entire series averaging over five runs per game in the three games. Ed Bloom has been on fire since sinking to a
season-low .241 batting average on August 6. Since that day he's hitting .367 with an OPS over 1.000. In this series, he had eight hits in 12
at-bats to go with three walks. He slugged two homers while scoring seven times and knocking in three.

[HerbD]

Loss: Lane(9-7)
John Thomas 7.0 IP, 9 HA, 3 ER
Padgett 3-run HR(22)
Wallace 3 hits
Clifford, Gellatly, and Siniscalchi 2 hits each


Loss: Moore(6-3)
Osbourne 6.1 IP, 13 HA, 6 ER
Padgett 3-run HR(23)
Siniscalchi and Zimmerman 2 hits each



Loss: Cipolla(13-11)
Cipolla 3.0 IP, 11 HA, 7 ER
Clifford, Flanagan, Padgett, and Price 2 hits each



This sweep was a tough one to take. Twice we lose in extra innings by FOUR runs!! The third game we were never in it down 13-1 after
just four innings. Again we average more than five runs per game but our pitching is dreadful. Coming out of this series we are 68-74 and
heading to Washington who swept us at home last month.

Player of the Series

Al Padgett

Padgett only had four hits in the three games but he made them count with six RBI on a couple of three-run homers. He added three runs
scored. On the season Padgett has a team high 23 home runs.

[HerbD]

Win: Jack Thomas(4-1)
Andrews 3.0 IP, 5 HA, 5 ER
Clifford(POG) 3-4, RS, 4 RBI, 2 2B, BB
Bloom 2-5, 3 RS, RBI, 3B, HR(10)
Flanagan 3 hits
Shearer and Siniscalchi 2 RBI each


Loss: Lane(9-8)
Wood 7 IP, 6 HA, 3 ER
Siniscalchi HR(7)
Shearer HR(16)



Loss: John Thomas(6-4)
John Thomas 5.0 IP, 7 HA, 7 ER
Bloom 2 hits



John Thomas has endured his worst stretch of the season losing two of his last three starts with a no-decision in between. He gave up a
season high seven earned runs in just five innings in a 10-0 loss to end the series. We took the first game handily and lost the second late
putting us 69-76 on the year with just four series left to play.

Player of the Series

Irv Clifford

Like Ed Bloom, Irv Clifford is making a late-season push to get his batting stats back to what the team is used to. For this series, he hit .461 and
drove in a ream high five with two doubles.

[HerbD]

Win: Osbourne(12-10)
Osbourne(POG) CG, 1 HA, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Zimmerman HR(13)
Siniscalchi HR(8)
Flanagan 2 hits, 3 RBI


Loss: MaGee(2-5)
Cipolla 6.2 IP, 7 HA, 5 ER
Bloom and Flanagan 2 hits each
Shearer 2 RBI


Loss: Andrews(3-7)
Andrews CG, 6 HA, 3 ER
Padgett HR(24)



For the seventh time in eight September series we have lost at least two of the three games. The only series we won so far this month was
the sweep of Philly in the middle of the month. The starting pitching has actually been pretty good this series giving up just eight runs
in the three games including Osbourne's one-hitter shut out in the opener.

Player of the Series

Vern Osbourne

Osbourne has had a very disappointing season with an ERA over five but on this day he reminded the entire league what he is capable of doing.
The complete game, one hit, shut out was the best pitched game from any Chiefs' pitcher so far this season. He gave up a single to lead off
the top of the first inning and tossed a no-hitter after that.

[HerbD]

Win: Mielcarek(2-1) SV: Lane(23)
Mielcarek(POG) 6.0 IP, 6 HA, 1 ER
Tucker HR(8)
Clifford and Flanagan 2 hits and 2 RBI each


Win: Campbell(2-0)
Wood 3.0 IP, 4 HA, 5 ER
Sinishcalchi(POG) 4-5, 2 RS, 5 RBI, HR(9)
Bloom 3-4, RS, RBI, BB, HR(11)
Rader 2 hits



Win: Osbourne(13-11)
Osbourne 7.2 IP, 7 HA, 2 ER
Tucker(POG) 3-4, 2 RS, 5 RBI, HR(9)
Siniscalchi 4-5, 3 RS, 2 RBI, 2B
Clifford 3 hits
Gellatly and Zimmerman 2 hits each
Bloom HR(12) **2,000th career FABL hit**



For the second to last series of the 1962 season we get the expansion Millers at home. With this three-game sweep we finished the year
16-2 against them, one of only two teams that we had a winning record against on the year(Boston 10-8). We outscored the Millers 27-12
finishing the series with a 12-2 bashing. Osbourne finished the season 13-11 by winning his last three decisions.

Player of the Series

Joe Siniscalchi

Rookie CF Joe Siniscalchi has been impressive since coming over to Chicago in a trade with Kansas City for starter Jack Halbur but this
series against the Millers left the fans in awe and wondering what the future may hold. The 24-year-old slapped nine hits in the three games
including back-to-back four-hit games for a .643 average. He raised his average 27 points after the series. He also drove in seven runs and
scored five runs in leading the Chiefs to the sweep.

[HerbD]

Win: John Thomas(7-4)
John Thomas(POG) 6.0 IP, 4 HA, 0 ER
Siniscalchi HR(10)
Bloom and Flanagan 2 hits each



Win: Andrews(4-7) SV: Lane(24)
Andrews(POG) 7.0 IP, 5 HA, 1 ER
Rader HR(17)



Loss: Wood(2-8)
Wood 2.0 IP, 10 HA, 6 ER
Rader HR(18)
Gellatly 3 hits
Zimmerman 2 hits



For this entire season we, and everyone else in the FABL, had thought this final series with the Pioneers would be a formality. They had a
12-game lead as late as August 6th and were expected to lock up the Fed by September 1st. Detroit did not cooperate with this scenario and
heading into the final series for both teams the Pioneers held a slim three-game lead. What that meant was one win by the Pioneers or one
loss by the Dynamos and the Fed would be decided. We shocked the FABL by winning the first two games of the series by a combined
score of 7-1 including a game-one shut-out led by rookie John Thomas who pitched six innings. It was another rookie, Bud Andrews, who
took the mound in game two and we took a hard fought 2-1 win. So here we are heading into game three and our third rookie, Bennie Wood,
takes the mound with his 2-7 record and a tie for the Fed on the line. Well, Wood struggled, as he had since his call-up, and the Pioneers are
headed to the FABL Championship Series.

We finish the 1962 season with a 75-79 record. Better than what OSA thought we could do but not as good as we hoped we would do
based on our early season success.

Player of the Series

Bud Andrews

Andrews proved he could pitch in the big leagues on the biggest stage by throwing seven innings of one-run baseball against the best team in the
FABL with the Fed title on the line. Andrews struggled at times this season but he also showed flashes of what everyone expects him to be.

[HerbD]

The 1962 Chicago Chiefs' season was a mixed bag. OSA predicted we would only win 72 games but early on we were contending and feeling pretty good. On June 19
we were tied for second place with a 40-28 record and on pace to win 88 games. Then the wheels quickly fell off!! By July 16 we were only three games over .500 and a
full 14 games behind the Pioneers. It would only get worse from there. In fact, after June 19 the Chiefs went 35-50 the rest of the way. I decided on July 16th that we would
go in a different direction. Our farm system wasn't very good and it was unbalanced with only a few position players compared to a lot of pitchers. That needed to change.
We had kept our eye on the free agent market as well as the waiver wire throughout the season and we did pick up some decent-looking guys that were somehow left
exposed but we still needed an influx of young talent. We put a couple of the older pieces of the rotation on the trade block for the Conti teams trying to chase down
a pennant. Veterans Jack Halbur and Dick Champ, both struggling for us with ERAs around four, were sent off to the other league with six prospects coming back to us.
None of the six prospects was older than 23 when the trades happened, and all six have a legitimate shot at making the majors; two of them already have, with mixed results.
The two trades along with a successful draft that saw our first two picks make the top 100 prospects list at the end of the season have pushed our farm system to a season
high sixth in the rankings.




This team gets on base a lot which is what I want to build upon. I also don't like big strikeout numbers. I know it's just another out but I grew up in a time when
it was frowned upon to strike out 100 times a year. We didn't have anyone strike out more than 78 times and we had seven guys with more than 40 walks.
We were at the low end of the scale when it came to hitting home runs but we were near the top in runs scored. We are hoping that we can increase the
power production next season and in turn, increase the number of runs scored with it. That will be tough as the competition for playing time will be tough next spring.
We were also very bad in the field in 1962 and that contributed to a lot of unearned runs allowed for our pitching staff. Defensive ability will play a huge role in who
takes the field for the Chiefs in 1963.




One line to sum up the 1962 season from the mound? The Chiefs allowed the third most runs in the FABL which consisted of FOUR expansion teams.
That should tell you everything you need to know. Of those 861 runs allowed 118, or 14%, were unearned. That's not counting the runs given up on balls hit to
Clifford or Rader, both of which were statues in the field. Our $500 k rotation" was struggling so we blew it up and added more depth. Someone had to
start those games so we brought up three of the youngsters to see what would happen. It was a mixed bag but it comes with anticipation of what might happen next
year. 19-year-old John Thomas was the last guy to get called up but he left the biggest impression. He started 12 games and 10 of them were quality starts. He was
named Player of the Game in eight of his 12 starts including a loss. He started 5-0 before finishing 2-4 down the stretch. Bud Andrews, the Chiefs' top prospect,
struggled early but found some positive momentum toward the end of the season. His biggest moment was one run, five hit performance in his last start of the year
against the mighty Pioneers. Bennie Wood was the third prospect to get the call up. Wood was part of the Halbur trade and he looked as if he were ready for the
majors but he really struggled the entire time he was up. He'll need to impress in spring in order to make the team again. You add in the bad seasons from
veterans Vern Osbourne(5.30 ERA) and Joe Cipolla(5.21) and it's easy to see why this team couldn't keep up the winning pace. The good news is that Cipolla will
be entering his age 26 season and Osbourne, although he's a little older at 31, have a good chance to bounce back from these bad performances.



This is good to see because it means we have a lot of options coming up. We know that not every prospect is going to make it in the bigs so having a high number of quality guys means more chances to hit.
I'd say at least five of the guys on this list will be on the major league roster next season coming out of spring. Maybe more!! Freddie Mitchell is the big surprise here as he was not highly rated right after the draft
but he finds himself in the top 55, nine spots ahead of our first-round pick Larry Gifford.

[HerbD]

Prospect rankings are fluid and always changing. What you see in the post above was from the end of the season. That list has changed slightly and
What you will see below is accurate as of the end of December 1962.


#1 Chiefs/#8 FABL: P Bud Andrews



21 years old/Round 1, Pick 11 1959 Chiefs/Bats: Switch/Throws: Left

Andrews excelled at three minor league levels in 1962 before making his major league
debut after the FABL All-Star break. He struggled a bit against big league hitting but you
could see the potential at times. Once you reach the majors no one cares what you did
in the minors. Seven of his 13 FABL starts were quality starts and he was named player
of the game four times including his first and final starts with the Chiefs.

Andrews was 20-0 with a 0.87 ERA in 29 High School games. Taken eleventh overall
by the Chiefs in the 1959 draft he debuted at #45 on the FABL top prospect list after
signing with Chicago. He's been on the rise ever since peaking at his current spot,
number eight. He has only three pitches but all three are above average. His change-up
is his out pitch but his sinker is just as good. His fastball is his third-best pitch. Chicago
tried to teach him a fourth pitch last offseason but it didn't take. The thing Andrews is known
for is not walking a lot of guys and not giving up a lot of homers. He was good in those
areas after his promotion but he gave up a lot of hits in general. That's something that
will improve over time. Green thinks he's a future number one and the Chiefs' front
office is counting on that happening sooner rather than later.


#2 Chiefs/#24 FABL: P Roy Brandt



22 years old/Round 3, Pick 43 1958 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Right

Brandt, like Andrews, was a very good high school pitcher winning 30 games in his
four years and losing just six. He's been in Chicago's system for four years now
but 1962 was the first time he'd appeared on the FABL top prospect list and he
went from unranked to #27 and he now sits at #24. His sudden rise up the
prospect charts coincides with the rise in his velocity. When he arrived at minor league
camp last January he was throwing 96~98, up from 88~90 at the end of the 1961 season.
The improvement in his fastball made his devastating curve that much harder for
hitters to hit.

Brandt has a wipeout curve and while Green doesn't see him as a number one he could
definitely play as a number two someday. He struggled a bit at AA this past season
and that will likely put him at AAA to start '63 unless he has a lights-out spring. It will
be tough to make the rotation but its not set in stone in December. The Chiefs have
Brandt working on his control in the winter practice facility but word out of the Windy City
is that he is struggling with that instruction.

#3 Chiefs/#28 FABL: P John Thomas



19 years old/Round 2, Pick 30 1961 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Right

19-year-old John Thomas stormed into the FABL last season making his major league
debut on July 31 with a complete game, shut out of the expansion Millers and he
never looked back. He won his first five FABL decisions and finished the 1962
season 7-4 with a 2.61 ERA over 12 big league starts. His first five starts were as
dominant as I have ever seen from a 19-year-old. He was 5-0 with a 1.09 ERA. He
was named Player of the Game in eight of his 12 starts.

If you think the Chiefs have a type, it's true. Thomas is another very successful
high school pitcher who entered the FABL draft with a 29-3 record over three seasons.
His Bugs Bunny change-up makes his slightly above-average fastball and sinker
look faster than they are. He debut on the top prospect list at #86 after the '61
draft and has climbed to as high as #22. He sits at #24 now but I don't know how
he's not higher on the list after his dominant FABL debut last season.

#4 Chiefs/#41 FABL: P Larry Gifford



22 years old/Round 1, Pick 13 1962 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Right

The drafting of Larry Gifford in the first round of the 1962 draft was a change in
direction for the Chiefs franchise. For most of the 1950s, they had drafted high
school pitchers high in the draft but Gifford was a college arm that the new
Chiefs' hierarchy believed could reach the majors quicker than the high schoolers
could. His slider, sinker, and change-up mix induces a lot of ground balls but the Chiefs'
brass found out that he still needs time to develop. After skipping C ball and
dominating for 12 starts in the B league Gifford struggled in five starts at class A
posting an ERA near nine. Gifford is in the winter development program with
Brandt in an attempt to improve his control but unlike Brandt, he is on track to
succeed in the program.

Gifford jumped to #66 on the FABL top prospect list after the 1962 season and he
has continued to climb the list to his current position at #41. With all of the
guys in front of him ready or near ready for the majors it will be a luxury for
Chicago to allow him to develop at his own pace in the minors.


#5 Chiefs/#48 FABL: OF Bob Star



22 years old/Round 10, Pick 150 1958 Cougars/Bats: Right/Throws: Right
July 16, 1962, was traded with OF Ricardo Castillo from the Cougars to the Chiefs for P Dick Champ

At the start of the 1962 season, the Chiefs were heavy on pitching prospects.
That dynamic changed in mid-July when the Chiefs' front office decided they were
not going to catch the Pioneers and started trading off some of their assets.
Starr is the highest-rated position player the Chiefs currently have and he was the
center piece in the deal for starter Dick Champ. Starr was a 10th-round draft pick
and it took him four years to crack the FABL top prospects list where he debuted at #75
in April of 1962. He's a Chicago native so he was happy to get dealt to the Chiefs.

He could make the 1963 Chiefs with his glove alone but he also brings the kind
of plate discipline that Chiefs GM Herb DeSpain likes to build a team around.
He's already as good at drawing a walk as Ed Bloom but he has more power
than the veteran could ever dream of having. Starr induced 117 walks in 114 minor
league games last year. He's not played above AA but I wouldn't be surprised
if he made the big league club out of spring training this year. If he doesn't
secure a starting role then he could easily push Dave Price out of the defensive
replacement role.

[HerbD]

#6 Chiefs/#53 FABL: 3B Freddie Mitchell



21 years old/Round 2, Pick 33 1962 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Right

Mitchell was drafted in the second round of the 1962 draft as a 17-year-old.
He's very young and raw so it could be years before we know if he was worth
the high pick but Chiefs scout Charlie Green thinks he's an advanced hitter
for his age with a great feel for the strike zone. He showed those skills in his pro
debut with short season class C Waterloo where he hit .281 and drew over
50 walks in just 281 plate appearances. He struggled a bit at class B for a late-season
promotion but the skills are evident. He scored 73 runs and stole 73 bases in just 40
games his last year of high school.


#7 Chiefs/#58 FABL: OF Joe Siniscalchi



24 years old/Round 3, Pick 47 1957 Kings/Bats: Left/Throws: Left
July 16, 1962, was traded with 3B Jorge Vallejo, P Bennie Wood, and C Luther Messer
from the Kings to the Chiefs for P Jack Halbur

At 23 years old it was important for the Chiefs to immediately find out what
they had. After the trade he went straight from AAA Seattle where he was hitting
over .300 with 20 home runs to Washington where he collected his first big
league hit on July 23. Charlie Green knew Siniscalchi's defense would play in
the majors but would he be able to hit was the big question. The answer was yes!
Siniscalchi hit over .300 for the Chiefs as a fourth outfielder knocking in 42 runs
and slapping 20 extra-base hits(10 homers) in just 218 plate appearances.
His ability to hit along with his all-star caliber defense makes him a lock for the
1963 Chicago lineup. It's a crowded spot along with veterans Rod Shearer
and Doc Zimmerman and second-year slugger Gene Rader but it's a good problem
for manager Dutch Becker to have. Rader was a defensive liability in '62 but he
led the Chiefs with 97 RBI. Things really get interesting if you include Bob Starr in
the mix.

#8 Chiefs/#100 FABL: OF Ricardo Castillo



21 years old/Round 2, Pick 25 1960 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Right
July 16, 1962, was traded with OF Bob Starr from the Cougars to the Chiefs for P Dick Champ

Castillo was a second-round draft pick of the Chiefs in 1960 who was traded
away by the previous regime. He returns to the Chiefs system from the crosstown
Cougars with Bob Starr, both as top 100 prospects. Castillo is very good at the
corner outfield positions but he can also play anywhere on the infield in a pinch.
He's still likely one or two seasons away from cracking the Chicago roster
but a
future outfield of Castillo, Starr, and Siniscalchi could be a reality sooner rather than later.
He will get an invite to spring training but he'll have to impress the coaching
staff if he wants to start 1963 anywhere above AA. He did score 79 runs while
walking 90 times and slugging 45 extra-base hits in a full season of class A ball.


#9 Chiefs/#125 FABL: P Jack Turner



19 years old/Round 1, Pick 14 1961 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Right

Jack Turner was given something that most top prospects don't get in 1962.
He was given a full season at class B Tacoma and it did wonders for the 19-year-olds
confidence. He lowered his BB/9 from 8.7 in short season class C in 1961 to
just 1.8 in 140 plus innings in class B. With several veterans and prospects
ahead of the former first-rounder, the Chiefs can be patient with Turner's development.
He'll likely start the 1963 season at class A Cedar Rapids where he'll attempt
to earn a promotion from there. He has five above-average pitches with his
knuckle-curve major league-ready.


#10 Chiefs#142 FABL: P Charlie Allensworth



20 years old/Round 3, Pick 41 1960 Chiefs/Bats: Right/Throws: Left


With five pitchers in front of him on the team prospect rankings it seems that
Allensworth is sometimes a forgotten man. The 20-year-old split time between
class C and B in 1962 and he didn't pitch particularly well making him easy to
overlook. Charlie Green still thinks Allensworth can earn a rotation spot at the
major league level but there is lots of competition in the Chiefs' system. The good
news for Allensworth, like Turner in front of him, there is no need to rush him to
the majors. He'll be given ample opportunity to develop into a major league
pitcher but he'll have to keep proving himself.

[HerbD]

The Chiefs picked up four players in the 1962 Rule V draft. I'd be surprised
if more than one of these guys breaks camp with the big league club.



Our scout, Charlie Green, has had an opportunity to assess all four of our picks.

[HerbD]

FABL spring training has been reduced from four weeks to three in 1963
so that gives us fewer opportunities to evaluate the regular season roster
which needs to be set by opening day on April 8 this year.

Usually, for the first two weeks of camp, we sit most of the veteran regulars
and play mostly youngsters or guys in position battles. With the short spring
schedule this year we will do that for the first week, and mix it up in the second
week and get as much of our opening-day lineup into games together as the
final week.




It's early but decisions need to be made quicker this year so the leash is short for some players. 21 year old OF Ricardo Castillo would
normally get two weeks in camp but he wasn't expected to make the team. The front office wanted him to get a taste of big league camp and
he did get in some plate appearances. His .188 batting average made it clear what the guys at the top already knew. He was sent to AA with a
little bit more experience than he came in with.

Castillo was the only hitter shipped out of camp after the first week. Some other, higher-profile player will get more of a look. Top positional
prospect, OF Bob Starr is only 22 but the Chiefs were hoping he would come in and take the CF job by force. So far that hasn't worked out
with the 59th-ranked prospect hitting just .133 in 15 at-bats. He'll have to improve a lot over the second week of games to stick around.

Veteran Irv Clifford is a guy whose defense has put him in the crosshairs of the front office but the 37-year-old leads the team in
spring hits with eight and he's making it tough for the team to move on.On the opposite end of that is 21-year-old Tom Spruill who was told the
shortstop job was his to lose. He's doing fine at the plate(.312/.421/.500) but he has committed three errors in the first week of games.



Two 24-year-olds, Carl Davis and Alvin Manning, have pitched their way off the opening day roster after just one week. With a wealth of youth
coming up the Chiefs' pipeline it could be a last chance for both. Davis gave up a whopping 11 runs in just 2.1 innings simply wasn't competitive
on the mound. Manning was not as bad but his three earned runs in just 1.2 innings was enough to earn himself a ticket to AAA.

The rotation is mostly set with Vern Osbourne, John Thomas, Joe Cipolla, and top prospect Bud Andrews expected to start the
season on the bump. That leaves just one rotation spot open unless one of those four gets injured or implodes like Davis did.

Roy Brandt, Dode Hogan, Fred Moore, and veteran Paul MaGee are all in the running along with Bert Davis who
has a very slim shot.

The bullpen will be a mixture of the best pitchers who didn't make the rotation and returning stopper Dutch Lane who recorded a
franchise record 24 saves in 1962.

[HerbD]

We have tried to mix in some of the veterans for the second week of spring training but there
are still a lot of guys to evaluate. After sending nine players down following week 2, most of
them were non-roster invites, so we still have nine too many players. That number includes
the four Rule V pick-ups.



The big name on the transaction list is OF Bob Starr. The front office had high hopes
that the 59th ranked prospect would win a job out of camp and solidify the outfield defense.
Things didn't work out as Starr only reached base six times in his 27 spring plate
appearances. You'll notice that there are a lot of veterans that were recently signed
to minor-league deals that have been sent down. That's due to the reduced spring
schedule and the inability to give everyone a proper evaluation. This is something that
every FABL team has to deal with so it's not specific to the Chiefs.



Realistically the team needs to cut three more players to get to the normal 15 position players that we normally carry. This year may be different.
The pitching competition has been so good this spring that we may have to entertain the thought of carrying 11 pitchers and cutting four more
position players. There have been some big surprises so far this year with Rule V pickup Don Kinney leading the team with 13 hits. The problem
for Kinney is that he doesn't fit the team's philosophy of gettingon base meaning he doesn't like to take a walk. While he is sixth on the team
in batting average(.325) he is 13th on the team in OB%(also .325). With veteran Irv Clifford finding his stroke early and youngsters
Harry Bailey and Jorge Vallejo playing above expectations, Kinney may still be the odd man out.




The competition for the 10~11 pitching spots has been fun to watch. It has been tough to send guys down as there are so many having very
good camps. The final five starts of spring training will see Dode Hogan(8 IP, 1 ER), Bennie Wood(8 IP, 1 ER), and Fred
Moore(7 IP, 1 ER) battle for the final rotation spot. Hot prospect Roy Brandt has not lived up to expectations and will have to
impress a lot of people in his last start to make the squad heading north. The two Rule V pitchers, Ed Funk and Bobby McGough
have been impressive but the numbers may not work out for them. Last season's phenom, John Thomas has struggled in his limited action
but he'll start the season in the rotation.

[HerbD]

Spring training has come to an end for the 1963 season. I will not go into a lot of detail concerning the roster makeup of the Chiefs as I will leave that
to the upcoming season preview. I will make you aware of the transactions that were made coming out of camp to get us down to the 25-man limit.




As always, things will change quickly after the first week when everyone gets a chance to look over the first waiver wire period after spring training.
We will have a few guys there but no one we would miss if they are claimed. We may need to do some cutting of players in the minors that
have major league contracts as we have quite a few guys that made the team who have yet to have salaries assigned to them.

While winning is not the end game in spring training it was still nice to break camp with an 11-7 record having won four of our last five games.

[HerbD]

Welcome to 1963, the first season with the expanded 162-game schedule. OSA does not think much of our chances to be competitive but
we hope surprise some people just like we did the first half of 1962 when we were top half of the Fed for most of the first half of the season.
This year's opening day roster is a good mix of veterans and youth. We have 11 players that are 25 years old or younger including six
rookies and several players in just their second season on the big league roster. We have another six players between 26 ~ 30 years old.
And another eight players that are 31 years old and older. Let's meet the team.



Four of the five guys that ended the 1962 season in the rotation are back to start 1963. Vern Osbourne and Joe Cipolla are the veterans having combined for almost 200 FABL victories and over 3,400
FABL innings. Both are coming off the worst seasons of their careers in terms of ERA. Osbourne had never posted a full-season ERA over 4.00 in his seven seasons as a starter in Chicago. Cipolla's ERA jumped half a run
from 1961 which was another disappointing season for him. For the Chiefs to have any chance to compete in the Fed in 1963, these two guys are going to have to revert back to their form of days gone by. Most people
forget that Cipolla is only 26 years old because he's been around so long. Osbourne is only 31, so neither wants to be known around the league as washed up but they will have to prove themselves or the front office will replace
them with younger players, just ask Dick Champ and Jack Halbur.

Bud Andrews was the guy everyone was talking about last season when the Chiefs traded away two-thirds of their rotation and called up three rookies but it was little-known John Thomas that stole the headlines.
Andrews was the top prospect of the Chiefs at the time and he held his own through 13 up-and-down starts finishing with an ERA of 5.67, not much higher than what Osbourne and Cipolla were bringing. Thomas dominated
early posting a 2.61 ERA and earning several Player of the Game nods. 23 year old Fred Moore won the last spot in the rotation. Moore has seen big league time every season since he was 19 but he's always been a middle
relief/spot starter type. This spring he beat out top prospect Roy Brandt for the final spot posting a 1.64 RA in 11+ innings of work. If Brand shines in AAA and Moore struggles in Chicago then look for the leash to
be short on the lefty from Tennessee.



The bullpen has not just two rookies but two Rule V draft selections in Ed Funk and Bobby McGough, both 24. Since they cannot be sent down to the minors they will be given every chance to stay in the big leagues as long as their presence is not
costing the Chiefs wins. Both earned their place with strong spring showings but the regular season is its own animal and will be treated as such. The M&M&M boys, Jim Miller, Paul MaGee, and Al Mielcarek are the veterans that will be counted
on to hold things in check. Miller has an Allen, a Kellogg, and four FABL Championship rings with Detroit so there's no situation he hasn't seen in his career. He'll mentor not only the two rookies but also our 23-year-old stopper, Dutch Lane who won
nine games and saved a team-record 24 games last season while throwing over 120 innings from the pen.



In an effort to boost the offense, the Chiefs will break camp with three catchers on the roster. We will give Mickey Tucker more
looks at first base early while Al Padgett gets most of the starts behind the plate. Tucker will slide over to catch when Padgett
needs a break which leaves Ray Smith here to pick up the scraps in blowouts and when both Padgett and Tucker need a rest on
the same day. If Smith gets many meaningful plate appearances then this team is in trouble. He's here for defense and relief. Padget
was one of the best offensive backstops in the FABL last season smashing a team-best 24 home runs in a career-high 511 plate
appearances. Tucker was coming off of six consecutive seasons with double-digit homers but he finished 1962 with just nine after
seeing a career-low 208 plate appearances. Despite the team's new focus on defense, the front office felt it was important to get
both bats in the lineup as much as possible.



Two things shaped the makeup of the infield to start the season. Number one, our infield defense was atrocious in 1962 and veteran Irv Clifford could not miss in spring training. Coming into spring ball the best case for Clifford was for him to remain
on the team as a pinch hitter off the bench. Clifford had other thoughts and hit .361 in exhibition play. He'll split time with Tucker and between the two of them and Padgett, the hotter hitters will get the swings. Who gets the short end of this? That would be
sophomore Joe Flanagan put together a terrific 1962 hitting a team-best .323 as a rookie but his struggles this spring(.217 batting average) put him behind the others going into the season. He still made the team and if Clifford doesn't field the ball
better at first than he did at second then Flanagan will likely get his job back. The other three infielders to make the roster out of camp are all rookies. Harry Bailey, Tom Spruill, and Jorge Vallejo are here to improve our infield defense.
Bailey struggled to hit at AAA last season but he led the team with a .394 average in the spring. He was not supposed to make the team this year but nobody told him. Spruill and Vallejo came to the Chiefs in mid-season trades last year and played together
at AA. The three rookies will take turns playing third and short on most days. As long as they contribute in the field then their bats will get some grace. Let's not forget the great Ed Bloom! Bloom will play mostly second base where he has plenty of
experience. The veteran is chasing the FABL record for bases on balls in a career after leading the FED in the category for 10 of the last 12 seasons. He currently sits in sixth place but is just 214 behind the all-time leader, a number that Bloom could
eclipse in less than two full seasons.



The outfield was another spot where the team wanted to improve their defense in 1963. That means that 1962 team RBI leader Gene Rader is on the outside looking in at the beginning of the season. Rader
was a good situational hitter but he was often described as a statue in the outfield. He wasn't much better at first base. He'll provide some punch off the bench while second-year player Joe Siniscalchi takes over center
field allowing living legend Rod Shearer to move back to his natural position of right field. Siniscalchi came over in one of the mid-season trades last year and played well hitting .311 with 10 homers and 41 RBI in just
218 plate appearances. The front office felt that the stress of playing center may have affected Shearer's offensive production last year so it was imperative that they find a way to move. Another veteran, Doc Zimmerman
will field his regular position of left field. Top prospect Bob Starr was given every chance to win a spot on the team but he struggled in spring competition. He's a defensive whiz and an outfield of him, Siniscalchi,
and Shearer is the eventual future of the team. For now, Zimmerman will provide his normal, steady production. Rookie and Rule V draftee John Howard rounds out the roster. Howard earned his spot on the team
beating out Starr and other competitors with a .400 batting average while never starting a game.

[HerbD]

The roller coaster that is the Chicago Chiefs has returned for the 1963 FABL season, and boy,
what a ride it's been so far. With hopes of playing consistent baseball and shaking off their
up-and-down trajectory, the Chiefs have faced a rocky start in the first 17 games.

The season kicked off on the road, with the Chiefs dropping both games in Philly. Last season's
darling, pitcher John Thomas, struggled in his first start. Despite giving up just over two runs per
game in his rookie run in 1962, Thomas was rocked for six earned runs in just over three innings
against the Keystones. The rough start continued with a three-game set in Washington, where
the Chiefs lost a decent effort by Bud Andrews in game one and were outscored 14-1 in
the final two contests.

After opening the season 0-5, the Chiefs returned to Chicago for a six-game homestand
against Boston and Minneapolis. They took game one by a score of 5-3, but the bats finally
broke out in game two as the Chiefs cracked 16 hits and scored 15 runs in a blowout of
the Minutemen. Every position player had at least two hits, except for rookie SS Harry
Bailey, who settled for just one.

Next up was a welcomed four-game set with the struggling Millers. All the contests were
close, but the Chiefs managed to come out victorious in all four games. Stopper Dutch
Lane was a perfect three-for-three in save opportunities during the series, shutting down
the Millers in each of the first three games. Veteran Doc Zimmerman continued his
hot start to the season with seven hits and four RBIs in the four games. The series
was tightly contested, with the Chiefs outscoring the Millers by just seven runs in the
four-game sweep.










PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL
Hitter of the Month: Doc Zimmerman(.419/.486/.661, 26-62, 6 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 13 RS, 2 SB)
Pitcher of the Month: Dutch Lane(5/5 saves, 0.00 ERA, 6.1 IP, 2 K, 0 BB)
Rookie of the Month: Tom Spruill(.271/.323/.390, 16-59, 4 2B, HR, 12 RBI, 4 RS,)
Minor League Player of the Month: Bob Starr(AAA)(.275/.491/.550, 11-40, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 11 RS, 14 BB)

GAME OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL

[HerbD]

Chicago, Illinois – Greetings, faithful fans of the Chicago Chiefs! As we turn the calendar to June, let’s take a nostalgic look back at the
month of May, a time filled with both triumphs and trials for our beloved baseball club.

Our Chiefs held their own during this bustling month, posting a commendable 18-12 record. With 30 games crammed into 31 days,
it's no surprise that the team decided to shift to a six-man rotation. This strategic move ensured that our pitchers stayed fresh and
ready for the challenges ahead.

The month opened with a challenging road trip through Pittsburgh, New York, and Boston, but our boys in blue didn't let the tough competition
faze them. After that, we didn't lose a single series for the rest of May. However, our defense remains a work in progress, as evidenced by the
24 errors committed throughout the month. It wasn't a matter of one unfortunate player having a rough stretch; instead, 14 different Chiefs
contributed to the error count, with five of them committing multiple blunders. Out of the 30 games played, only 12 were error-free, leading to
16 unearned runs.

We anticipated some growing pains, especially given the roster changes we made in May. We began the season with rookies Harry Bailey
and Jorge Vallejo, who were known for their defensive prowess but struggled to find their groove at the plate. Both Bailey (.158 BA) and
Vallejo (.222 BA) were sent down, making way for Bob Starr and Gil Carr to join the lineup. This shuffle allowed us to reinsert Joe
Flanagan, and what a revelation he has been! Flanagan batted an impressive .361 with 18 RBIs in May while manning the hot corner. His
defensive efforts were steady enough to quell any concerns.

Our offense was further bolstered by the consistent performances of Ed Bloom and rookie Tom Spruill, both boasting on-base
percentages over .400. This provided ample opportunities for slugger Rod Shearer to shine. Shearer drove in a team-high 26 runs while
belting four home runs. As we step into June, Shearer stands just four homers shy of the magical 400 mark for his career. Additionally, he's
within reach of 1,500 RBIs and 2,000 hits – truly remarkable milestones.

The pitching staff also underwent significant changes. Bud Andrews, who struggled with a 6.49 ERA, was sent back to AAA Fort
Wayne. In his place, top prospect Roy Brandt and the relatively unknown Dode Hogan were called up to join the rotation. Both
rookies impressed, despite their win-loss records not reflecting their efforts. Hogan, for instance, dazzled with a 1.80 ERA over his first three
starts, all complete games, while Brandt allowed just two earned runs in his initial outings. Unfortunately, closer Dutch Lane had a tough
time in May, posting an ERA over seven with just one save. Nevertheless, he led the team with four wins, all one-run victories in consecutive
appearances.

The month of May brought its fair share of challenges, but our Chicago Chiefs demonstrated resilience and potential. As we move forward, the
hope and optimism of 1963 are alive and well, embodied in every swing, pitch, and play. Stay tuned, Chiefs fans, for more thrilling moments ahead!

-John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter





PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY
Hitter of the Month: Rod Shearer(.296/.352/.487, 34-115, 6 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 21 RS, 11 BB)
Pitcher of the Month: Dode Hogan(1-2, 1.80 ERA, 25.0 IP, 14 K, 7 BB, 1.20 WHiP)
Rookie of the Month: Tom Spruill(.356/.431/.586, 31-87, 6 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 9 RS, 13 BB)
Minor League Player of the Month: Frank Widdows(AA/AAA)(3-0, 1.82 ERA, 39.2 IP, 27 K, 0.93 WHiP)

[HerbD]

Game of the Month for May 1963

Chicago, Illinois – Let's cast our minds back to May 1963, a month that will be remembered
as a turning point for our beloved Chicago Chiefs of the FABL. The Chiefs were coming off a
dismal 3-6 road trip and faced the daunting task of hosting the formidable Washington Eagles
for a four-game showdown over just three days. The Eagles, perched in second place in
the Fed standings, seemed unstoppable. Meanwhile, our Chiefs were floundering,
sitting three games below .500 and not resembling a contending team in the slightest.

Over the next three days, something remarkable happened. The Chiefs, fueled by an
unwavering determination, won three out of four games, outscoring the favored Eagles
40-17 in the victories. There was the unfortunate 9-1 drubbing in the first game of
Sunday’s doubleheader, but let's not dwell on that. Instead, let's celebrate the thrilling
football-like scores of 10-6, 13-8, and a resounding 17-5 victory that reverberated
through the Windy City, igniting a newfound spark in our Chiefs.

In the midst of this electric series, Al Padgett emerged as the Player of the Game,
delivering four hits, including his second home run of the 1963 season. However,
if you asked anyone in the Chiefs' clubhouse, they would unanimously declare
pitcher Ed Funk as the true hero. With no prior notice, Funk was thrust into the
starting role after the scheduled starter, Fred Moore, was unable to take the
mound. Funk rose to the occasion, surrendering just one earned run over 6.1
gritty innings, throwing an astonishing 111 pitches. The bullpen took care of the
remaining 2.2 innings, but it was Funk's valiant effort that saved the day for the
pitching staff.

Throughout the four-game series, outfielder Joe Siniscalchi drove in an impressive
10 runs, while the newly inserted Joe Flanagan chipped in with seven RBIs,
accounting for 17 of the team's 41 runs. Remarkably, a total of eleven different
Chiefs drove in a run, a testament to the collective effort and depth of the lineup.
Including the Eagles series, our Chicago team went on to win 15 of their final 22
games in May, catapulting themselves back into the top half of the Fed standings.

The month of May brought its fair share of challenges, but our Chicago Chiefs
demonstrated resilience and potential. As we move forward, the hope and optimism
of the 1963 season are alive and well, embodied in every swing, pitch, and play.
Stay tuned, Chiefs fans, for more thrilling moments ahead!

-John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter

[HerbD]

Christmas in June: FABL Draft Brings New Hope to Clubs and Cities Alike


It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, folks. Not the kind with jingle bells or snow, but the kind that comes gift-wrapped in raw talent and untapped potential. Yes, June is upon us, and so is the Federally Aligned Baseball League’s Amateur Draft. For teams like our Chicago Chiefs, it’s a season of new beginnings, a chance to unwrap the future stars of tomorrow and rekindle the hope that only baseball can bring.

Down in the war rooms of FABL headquarters, the air is thick with anticipation. Young men, most barely out of high school, sit by the phone, their dreams hanging in the balance. These boys, with their sandlot innocence and hometown pride, are poised to step into the grand stage of professional baseball. For some, it’s a golden ticket. For others, it’s the first step in a long, winding road to the big leagues.

For the Chiefs, who’ve had their fair share of rough seasons lately, this draft represents a fresh shot of adrenaline. Imagine the scene—coaches and scouts poring over scouting reports like kids shaking presents under the Christmas tree. The right pick could mean a future superstar in Comiskey Park, a player to anchor the lineup or dazzle the crowd with a golden glove. A glimmer of promise for a team aching to claw its way back to glory.

Let us not forget, though, the beauty of this moment isn’t just for teams and executives. It’s for the fans. For the fathers and sons who gather around the radio, hoping their team finally found “the one.” For the neighborhoods that see their local kid don an FABL cap, carrying the pride of a city on his shoulders. It’s a reminder that, in this game, no matter how tough the losses or how bleak the standings, hope is always just around the corner.

So here’s to June, the month where dreams come alive. Here’s to the players who will soon don the uniform and the teams who believe, against all odds, that this is the year their luck will turn. And here’s to the great game of baseball, which, much like Christmas, fills us all with childlike wonder and belief in the magic of tomorrow.

Stay tuned, folks. The draft board is lighting up, and who knows? The next Chicago Chief might just be a name none of us will ever forget.

Until then, play ball!
-John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter


ROUND 1




The Chiefs settled into the middle of the draft selecting 10th out of 20 teams in every round.
This draft was very pitcher-heavy, particularly high school pitcher-heavy. The Chiefs have
made moves over the past season to even out what was, at the start of the 1962 season,
also a very pitcher-heavy minor league system so that going into this draft we could take the
best available player without regard to position.

With that in mind, the Chiefs watched as the best of the position players fell off the board early, and
when it was their turn to pick they settled on a high school pitcher of their own. 17-year-old Augustus
"Augie" Hicks had just one year of high school baseball under his belt but that was enough to convince
the Chiefs to select him in the first round. Chicago scout Charlie Green says Hicks has a golden arm
and, as he's known to be a little dramatic, threatened to quit(again) if the Chiefs were to pass on him.
He boasted the fourth-best ERA in the country amongst prep pitchers at 0.69 and the best among the
48 high school pitchers to toss at least 100 innings. OSA scouting service says that with Hicks' "dominant
change-up combined with his plus-sinker...he has the potential to be an impact pitcher!"


ROUND 2



In round two the Chiefs went with an infielder who at 20 years old already has three years of
college experience under his belt. John Butts is the only player in the draft that OSA has given
a five rating for both infield and outfield range. He is considered one of the top three fielders in the
1963 draft due to his ability to cover the entire field. Do not look for him to play anywhere besides
short for the Chiefs as that is where they see his value. He can field in the big leagues right now
but his bat needs to catch up to the glove.


ROUND 3



Al Williams is a lot like John Butts in that he is only 20 years old but he has three years of
college experience. His stats were progressively worse every season but his competition was
great so that may not be much of a bad thing. Green liked Williams more than OSA with the
FABL scouting service putting him at the back of the rotation and Green swearing he'll be
at the top someday but they both agreed he would need to improve his control to be successful.
Other experts say Williams was a reach and the Chiefs left some other good players on the
board. This one won't be settled for a few years.


ROUND 4




OSA had OF George Wampole listed as the 12th pick of the second round (32 overall) in its annual
mock draft so the Chiefs feel that any value they lost in taking Williams in the third was regained
with this selection in the fourth round. Wampole is the third consecutive college player selected
by the Chiefs and at 19 he's younger than the other two. His speed is his most obvious asset
allowing him to easily roam the gaps in the outfield and steal a good amount of bases but his
arm will keep him in center or left for his career. He has a good eye and a teachable hit tool that
should transfer to the big leagues.


ROUND 5




17-year-old Arnold Strange was also predicted to be drafted in the second round by OSA but that
is where the similarities between him and Wampole end. Strange dropped to the fifth round
because he zero defensive versatility and, despite being listed as an outfielder, the only way
he makes the FABL is as a first baseman, and not a very good one. Why draft him? Because
Charlie Green says "he projects to be an elite hitter." That's enough to get your name called.
If he comes close to that projection then he'll be worth the fifth-round pick the Chiefs used on
him and he'll be considered a steal.


ROUND 6




The Chiefs end up splitting their first six picks evenly between high schoolers and collegiate
(three of each) and pitchers and position players(three of each). Sixth-round pick Harley
Thompson is a high school pitcher who shares a lot with his fellow Chicago draftees.
Like Hicks, he is a one-year wonder pitcher who didn't lose a game, pitched a lot of
innings, and struck out a ton of batters. Like Wampole and Strange he is a value pick in
the eyes of OSA who had him projected to be a fourth-rounder. None of the Chiefs' top
six picks in 1963 are older than 20 at the time of the draft so it could be a long time before
we can even grade them. Green thinks his swing-and-miss change-up and ability to
avoid the long ball (only two HRs allowed in high school) is enough to project him as
a number three starter. He's an intelligent guy who asks a lot of questions and can learn
by watching others.

[jksander]

I love those baseball card designs ... are they importable to the game, or are you designing them all yourself as you go?