As I have retired from the University of Illinois, I have found a little time to work on my 1966 National League replay. I have gotten through July 17 so far. A lot has happened on that day! To be fair, there were four doubleheaders on that day so a lot can change in the standings and the leaderboards.
Sad day at Shea!
Houston visited New York for a doubleheader and the Mets had a chance to leapfrog the Astros in the standings. The New York fans went home disappointed. Astro hurlers Larry Dierker and Dave Giusti both pitched back-to-back shutouts as the Mets only collected three hits for the day.
Houston remains in 8th place and the hapless Mets are stuck in 9th.
LA split against Philly
Lou Johnson hit a two-run homer in game one but the first place Dodgers could only claim a split against the Phils. It was Ray Herbert, a D, who claimed the win in game 2 against B pitcher Claude Osteen. Herbert was helped by four hits by Johnny Callison and a three-run homer by Dick Groat.
Of note, Dick Allen who has been leading the league in batting, slugging, OBP and rbis, went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts in the first game and could only manage one hit in game two.
With their last win, Philly has gone 8-2 in their last ten games.
Pirates sweep Giants
The Buccos won both of their games against the Giants. In game one, Willie Stargell hit a double and a home run with three rbis. Gene Alley and Jose Pagan were the big bats in game two going a combined 5 for 8.
That makes nine wins in a row for the Pirates putting them one game behind first place LA. As for the once-tough Giants, they have lost seven in a row and they are riding the .500 mark.
With his three rbis in game one, Stargell passes Allen in the rbi race with 71.
Santo shines in rough and tumble series against Cards
Ron Santo and the Chicago Cubs had a good day against the Cardinals. Ronnie homered in both games to help the Cubbies win both games.
It was a rough day overall for St. Louis. Three Cardinal players were injured in game one. Nellie Briles suffered a loss to go 2-16 for the year.
With four hits and one walk, Santo takes over the OBP lead from Allen (it wasn’t Dick’s day!).
The doubleheader loss doesn’t help St. Louis as they never have been able to get it going. They have been in the cellar for most of the season.
Who’s hot right now?
Here are the players with the longest current hitting streak right now:
Matty Alou of Pittsburgh has season record so far with 23 so these guys have a bit to go. I will say I am happy to see Hank Aaron pick it up a bit. He had a rough start to 1966. Despite the 14-game streak, he is still batting only .259.
Final words
In my replay, I use actual lineups and rotations and as I am heading towards the dog days of the 1966 season, I am noticing that teams are using more second stringers. Especially pitchers. I am seeing pitchers like Art Mahaffey, Ray Herbert and Bob Priddy being trotted out to the mound to start. These guys are either usually relievers or just didn’t pitch much.
It makes sense. It is a long season.
Hello Tom — as one who began his tabletop career with the 1966 season (with APBA’s main competitor for three seasons before switching to APBA for 1969) I enjoy your infrequent writings about 1966 immensely. Well done, and please keep them coming!
I’ve always remembered the date of my first St——-ic game, July 21,1967. Just barely a year ahead of your replay. Fergie Jenkins and the Cubs whitewashed Koufax and the Dodgers, 3-0, but I’ve often thought I must not have played my debut game correctly. But a wonderful memory.
P.S. Congratulations on your retirement. I’ve been enjoying your blog for several years (6-7) — Curt Johnson
Hi Curt!
Thank you for the feedback. The 1966 recaps will be more frequent now that I have more time to play. :)
Koufax just pitched another shutout as LA is barely holding on to a 1 game over Pittsburgh. The Bucs have a 10-game win streak going!
Tom