EXPANSION DRAFTS PAST : For Every Kansas City, There Is Another Story

It wasn’t easy being the other team in town, growing up in the shadow of the Dodgers, who owned not only the stadium the Angels played in but seemingly the entire city.

The Dodgers? Yes, indeed, right here on Page 1.

The Angels? Try Page 3.

Gene Autry went to St. Louis in 1961 to get broadcast rights for an expansion team in the American League and came home with the franchise. Along with the Washington Senators--an expansion team to replace the original Senators, who had become the Minnesota Twins--the Angels increased the American League to 10 teams, the first expansion in 60 years.

Needing a place to play, Autry rented the newly completed Dodger Stadium. But his players always felt like poor relatives there, relegated to a cold, barren clubhouse while their counterparts enjoyed the model suite down the hall.

“We were tenants and they never let us forget it,” said Buck Rodgers, who was one of the 28 players picked by the Angels in the expansion draft and now is the team’s manager.

“And it wasn’t just the Dodgers doing it,” he added. “We were the other team in town. It sounds like sour grapes, now, but that was the way it was. They were the wealthy team, established, the team that owned Chavez Ravine, and we were the team that was almost an afterthought.”

For $2.1 million, Angel General Manager Fred Haney drafted a mixture of veterans and youngsters, making Eli Grba, a New York Yankee relief pitcher, his first choice and including former Pacific Coast League favorite Steve Bilko. Jim Fregosi, Dean Chance and Rodgers helped the Angels get off to the best start of any of the 10 expansion teams in history.

In their first season, the Angels won 70 games. Their second year, they were in first place on the fourth of July and went on to finish third with 86 victories. The Angels stayed consistent over the next 10 years, but made no significant progress after their first five years, other than moving to Anaheim Stadium in 1966.

“In the early years, we were always much better than everyone else, but as the years went on the organization didn’t catch up,” said Rodgers, who holds the league record for games caught by a rookie, 150 in 1962.

The Kansas City Royals, who joined the American League in 1969, emerged as the most successful expansion franchise in modern times.

“Kansas City went out and built a farm system and signed great players,” said Rodgers, “and our farm system never did develop as good as the Kansas City farm system.”

On April Fool’s Day in 1969, Kansas City made a trade with its expansion counterpart, the Seattle Pilots, but the transaction was no joke.

The Pilots--a one-year Seattle team that became the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970--traded Lou Piniella to the Royals for outfielder Steve Whitaker and pitcher John Gelnar. Piniella went on to hit .282 with 11 home runs, 21 doubles and 68 runs batted in, and won the rookie-of-the-year award. He played five years for the Royals and 18 years in the majors.

Whitaker and Gelnar, both unproven, lasted only five years in the majors. Gelnar ended his career with a 7-14 record, Whitaker with a .230 batting average.

The trade wasn’t even consistent with the Pilots’ philosophy, which was to stack its team with veterans. In the expansion draft, their first pick was Don Mincher from the Angels, followed by Tommy Harper from Cleveland. Other veterans included Tommy Davis from the Chicago White Sox and Chico Salmon from Cleveland.

Even after moving to Milwaukee, the club made little progress in the standings until 1978, when the Brewers won 93 games and finished third.

But the Piniella trade fit the Royals’ plans perfectly. Their opening pick was young right-handed pitcher Roger Nelson, who pitched well when he wasn’t injured and still ranks among the team’s top 10 pitchers in several categories. Until the late stages of the draft, when they picked 45-year-old Hoyt Wilhelm of Chicago and 33-year-old Moe Drabowsky of Baltimore, the Royals had a squad that averaged only 23 years old.

Most of the Royals’ selections had little or no major league experience, among them catcher Fran Healy and pitchers Dick Drago, Tom Burgmeier and Al Fitzmorris. Then, through a series of moves, the Royals not only built their own farm system but raided others’ by trading players who had solid reputations for solid prospects.

Nelson was traded to Cincinnati in 1972 for Hal McRae, who spent 15 years as the Royals’ designated hitter. Nelson lasted only two more years. Third baseman Joe Foy, the Royals’ second pick in the expansion draft, played one good season for the Royals before he was traded for Amos Otis, who became their center fielder for 14 years.

Also, in 1971, Kansas City drafted George Brett.

In their first 17 years, the Royals finished first or second in their division 12 times and never finished lower than fifth. They were second in the West in 1975, then won the division title the next three years, the pennant in 1980 and the World Series in 1985. They have never finished last.

But the New York Mets, who joined the National League along with the Houston Colt .45s in 1962, became the first expansion team to win the World Series, in 1969.

The Mets drafted poorly in 1961, stocking the team mostly with name veterans on their way down, among them Roger Craig and Gil Hodges. Even Casey Stengel, who from a public relations standpoint was a brilliant pick as manager, couldn’t save the Mets from finishing last in the 10-team league the first four years. The ’62 Mets lost 120 games and are generally considered the worst team in modern major league history. Still, they were a New York team with lots of New York names.

“We had more following at spring training that first year because of Stengel than any other team in the history of the game,” said Don Zimmer, who was drafted by the Mets from the Chicago Cubs. “We had people from all over the world come, and it certainly wasn’t (because of) the players.

“You had the names, but most of them were on the downgrade--Gil Hodges, myself, Hobie Landrith, Gus Bell. Even though there were some name players, I think you either draft in that direction or you go for all young people.”

But within a few years, the Mets had built around a solid pitching staff developed through their farm system. By 1967, they had Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw and Nolan Ryan. In their eighth year, they won 100 games and the World Series. In their 12th year, they won the pennant again.

“They were always known for good young pitching, even the guys they traded away, like Nolan Ryan and Jon Matlack,” Zimmer said. “But you had to trade some of it away to get some players.”

Zimmer, who will be a coach for the Colorado Rockies, was drafted third by the Mets, but he might have stayed with the Cubs had it not been for a comment he made on a radio show.

“Each team put seven players on the expansion list that the other teams could draft for $75,000 each,” Zimmer said. “Then there were two bonus choices for $125,000, but each team could only lose one of them. The players didn’t get the money, the team did. I made whatever I was making at the time, which is nothing like what you are looking at now. I guess I made about $18,000.

“I wasn’t on the bonus list, but I had made a comment the last day of the season on a radio show with Lou Boudreau that I didn’t want to come back the next season because of the coaching system. Mr. (Phil) Wrigley had nine revolving coaches that would manage for 10 days each, then go on to the triple-A club. That year we lost 100 games. Then I pick up the paper the last day of the season and find out that the Cubs are going to try it again because it worked.

“There were two pitchers on the bonus list. So they took one off and put me on.”

Zimmer played with the Mets for a month and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, then went on to the Dodgers. In the middle of 1963, Hodges was named manager of the Washington Senators and Zimmer was sent there by Dodger General Manager Buzzy Bavasi. Zimmer said Bavasi wanted to help out Hodges, who was a good friend.

“Buzzy unloaded about half of us on Gil,” Zimmer said. “Just put us on a truck and sent us over there.”

The expansion Senators never quite made it. The only year they finished above .500 was in 1969 under Manager Ted Williams, when they were fourth. They moved to Texas and became the Rangers in 1972.

The National League added the Montreal Expos and the San Diego Padres in 1969, increasing the league to 12 teams.

The last expansion draft was in 1976, when the Seattle Mariners and Toronto were added to the American League. Both teams chose a mixture of old and young players, with Seattle actually making the better picks. It was six years before either team came close to playing .500, and from that point the teams moved in opposite directions.

Toronto revamped its front office before the 1982 season and hired Bobby Cox as manager. They phased out their veterans, giving their young players, such as Jesse Barfield, Lloyd Moseby and Damaso Garcia, more playing time. In 1984 they finished second with what was then called by some the best outfield in baseball--Barfield, Moseby and George Bell, all three players from Toronto’s farm system. In 1985, the Blue Jays won their division title and last month won the World Series.

Seattle, however, didn’t have its first winning season until 1991, when the Mariners went 83-79 and finished fifth, rewarding then-manager Jim Lefebvre by firing him. Although their roster perennially lists good young talent, the Mariners still have had aging, one-dimensional sluggers such as Jeff Burroughs, Richie Zisk, Gorman Thomas, Jeffrey Leonard and Kevin Mitchell. Seattle has never finished higher than fourth.

In today’s expansion draft, and in the trades that follow, Colorado and Florida will indicate the directions they will take to build their teams--with veterans or youth. Either way, history has proven that it takes time to become a contender.

“This will be my 44th year of spring training, and I am actually anxious to see this team that we are going to put on the field,” Zimmer said of the Rockies.

“And I can only say one thing. I don’t know who they are, I don’t know a player, but knowing the type of person Don Baylor is--and he’s the manager--we will put a team on the field that’s going to play their hearts out and play hard.

“And that goes a long way right there, regardless of what talent we have.”

PREVIOUS EXPANSION DRAFTS WASHINGTON SENATORS Dec. 14, 1960 PITCHERS * Bobby Shantz (New York Yankees), Dave Sisler (Detroit), Pete Burnside (Detroit), Johnny Klippstein (Cleveland), Carl Mathias (Cleveland), Hal Woodeshick (Minnesota), Hector Maestri (Minnesota), Rudy Hernandez (Minnesota), Dick Donovan (Chicago White Sox), Ed Hobaugh (White Sox), Tom Sturdivant (Boston). CATCHERS Hank Dotterer (Kansas City A’s), Pete Daley (Kansas City A’s), Gene Green (Baltimore). INFIELDERS Coot Veal (Detroit), Billy Klaus (Baltimore), Dale Long (Yankees), Bud Zipfel (Yankees), Jim Mahoney (Boston), Bob Johnson (Kansas City A’s), Chet Boak (Kansas City A’s), Johnny Schaive (Minnesota). OUTFIELDERS Willie Tasby (Boston), Gene Woodling (Baltimore), Chuck Hinton (Baltimore), Jim King (Cleveland), Marty Keough (Cleveland), Joe Hicks (White Sox). ANGELS Dec. 14, 1960 PITCHERS * Eli Grba (Yankees), Dean Chance (Baltimore), Ron Moeller (Baltimore), Jerry Casale (Boston), Fred Newman (Boston), Ken McBride (White Sox), Aubrey Gatewood (Detroit), Bob Sprout (Detroit), Bob Davis (Kansas City A’s), Ned Garver (Kansas City), Tex Clevenger (Minnesota), Duke Maas (Yankees). CATCHERS Ed Sadowski (Boston), Earl Averill (White Sox), Bob (Red) Wilson (Cleveland), Buck Rodgers (Detroit). INFIELDERS Don Ross (Baltimore), Jim Fregosi (Boston), Ted Kluszewski (White Sox), Ken Aspromonte (Cleveland), Gene Leek (Cleveland), Eddie Yost (Detroit), Ken Hamlin (Kansas City), Julio Becquer (Minnesota), Steve Bilko (Detroit, from Denver). OUTFIELDERS Jim McAnany (White Sox), Faye Throneberry (Minnesota), Bob Cerv (Yankees), Ken Hunt (Yankees), Albie Pearson (Baltimore, from Rochester). NEW YORK METS Oct. 10, 1961 PITCHERS Jay Hook (Cincinnati), Bob L. Miller (St. Louis), Craig Anderson (St. Louis), Roger Craig (Dodgers), Ray Daviault (San Francisco), Al Jackson (Pittsburgh), Sherman Jones (Cincinnati). CATCHERS * Hobie Landrith (San Francisco), Chris Cannizzaro (St. Louis), Clarence Coleman (Philadelphia). INFIELDERS Don Zimmer (Chicago Cubs), Ed Bouchee (Cubs), Elio Chacon (Cincinnati), Sammy Drake (Cubs), Gil Hodges (Dodgers), Felix Mantilla (Milwaukee Braves). OUTFIELDERS Lee Walls (Philadelphia), Gus Bell (Cincinnati), Joe Christopher (Pittsburgh), John DeMerit (Milwaukee), Bobby Gene Smith (Philadelphia), Jim Hickman (St. Louis). HOUSTON COLT .45s Oct. 10, 1961 PITCHERS Dick Drott (Cubs), Ken Johnson (Cincinnati), Dick Farrell (Dodgers), Jim Golden (Dodgers), Paul Roof (Milwaukee), Jesse Hickman (Philadelphia), Bobby Shantz (Pittsburgh), Jim Umbricht (Pittsburgh), Sam Jones (San Francisco). CATCHERS Merritt Ranew (Milwaukee), Hal Smith (Pittsburgh). INFIELDERS * Eddie Bressoud (San Francisco), Dick Gernert (Cincinnati), Bob Aspromonte (Dodgers), Norm Larker (Dodgers), George Williams (Philadelphia), Bob Lillis (St. Louis), Joe Amalfitano (San Francisco). OUTFIELDERS Al Heist (Cubs), Al Spangler (Milwaukee), Roman Mejias (Pittsburgh), Ed Olivares (St. Louis), Don Taussig (St. Louis). MONTREAL EXPOS Oct. 14, 1968 PITCHERS Jack Billingham (Dodgers), Mike Wegener (Philadelphia), Skip Guinn (Atlanta Braves), Bill Stoneman (Cubs), Larry Jackson (Philadelphia), Bob Reynolds (San Francisco), Dan McGinn (Cincinnati), Mudcat Grant (Dodgers), Jerry Robertson (St. Louis), Don Shaw (Mets), John Glass (Mets), Carl Morton (Atlanta), Larry Jaster (St. Louis), Earnest McAnally (Mets). CATCHERS John Bateman (Houston), John Boccabella (Cubs), Ron Brand (Houston). INFIELDERS * Maury Wills (Pittsburgh), Gary Sutherland (Philadelphia), Jose Herrera (Houston), Jim Williams (Cincinnati), Angel Hermoso (Atlanta), Coco Laboy (St. Louis), Gary Jestadt (Cubs). OUTFIELDERS Manny Mota (Pittsburgh), Mack Jones (Cincinnati), Donn Clendenon (Pittsburgh), Jesus Alou (San Francisco), Jim Fairey (Dodgers), Ty Cline (San Francisco). SAN DIEGO PADRES Oct. 14, 1968 PITCHERS Dave Giusti (St. Louis), Dick Selma (Mets), Al Santorini (Atlanta), Clay Kirby (St. Louis), Frank Reberger (Cubs), Dick Kelley (Atlanta), Mike Corkins (San Francisco), Tom Dukes (Houston), Richard James (Cubs), Dave Roberts (Pittsburgh), Fred Katawczik (Cincinnati), Steve Arlin (Philadelphia), Bill McCool (Cincinnati), Al McBean (Pittsburgh). CATCHERS Fred Kendall (Cincinnati), Ron Slocum (Pittsburgh). INFIELDERS Jose Arcia (Cubs), Nate Colbert (Houston), Zoilo Versalles (Dodgers), Frank Davanon (St. Louis), Rafael Robles (San Francisco), Roberto Pena (Philadelphia). OUTFIELDERS * Ollie Brown (San Francisco), Jerry Morales (Mets), Larry Stahl (Mets), Al Ferrara (Dodgers), Tony Gonzalez (Philadelphia), Clarence Gaston (Atlanta), Ivan Murrell (Houston), Jim Williams (Dodgers). SEATTLE PILOTS Oct. 15, 1968 PITCHERS Buzz Stephen (Minnesota), Diego Segui (Oakland A’s), Marty Pattin (Angels), Gerald Schoen (Washington), Gary Bell (Boston), Jack Aker (Oakland), Charles Bates (Washington), Dick Baney (Boston), Steve Barber (Yankees), John Mikios (Washington), Darrell Brandon (Boston), Gary Timberlake (Yankees), Robert Richmond (Washington), John Morris (Baltimore), Mike Marshall (Detroit), Paul Click (Angels). CATCHERS Gerry McNertney (White Sox), Larry Haney (Baltimore). INFIELDERS * Don Mincher (Angels), Ray Oyler (Detroit), Chico Salmon (Cleveland), Skip Lockwood (Oakland), Mike Ferraro (Yankees). OUTFIELDERS Tommy Harper (Cleveland), Tommy Davis (White Sox), Rich Rollins (Minnesota), Lou Piniella (Cleveland), Steve Hovley (Angels), Wayne Comer (Detroit), Jim Gosger (Oakland). KANSAS CITY ROYALS Oct. 15, 1968 PITCHERS * Roger Nelson (Baltimore), Jim Rooker (Yankees), Steve Jones (Washington), Jon Warden (Detroit), Dave Morehead (Boston), Bill Butler (Detroit), Wally Bunker (Baltimore), Dick Drago (Detroit), Don O’Riley (Oakland), Al Fitzmorris (White Sox), Moe Drabowsky (Baltimore), Hoyt Wilhelm (White Sox), Mike Hedlund (Cleveland), Tom Burgmeier (Angels), Gerald Cram (Minnesota), Ed Brookens (Washington). CATCHERS Ellie Rodriguez (Yankees), Fran Healy (Cleveland). INFIELDERS Paul Schaal (Angels), Bill Haynes (White Sox), Billy Harris (Cleveland), Jerry Adair (Boston), Scott Northey (White Sox). OUTFIELDERS Joe Foy (Boston), Joe Keough (Oakland), Mike Fiore (Baltimore), Bob Oliver (Minnesota), Steve Whitaker (Yankees), Pat Kelly (Minnesota), Jack Hernandez (Minnesota). SEATTLE MARINERS Nov. 5, 1976 PITCHERS Gary Wheelock (Angels), Dick Pole (Boston), Grant Jackson (Yankees), Frank MacCormick (Detroit), Stan Thomas (Cleveland), Rick Jones (Boston), Glenn Abbott (Oakland), Dave Pagan (Baltimore), Roy Thomas (White Sox), Pete Broberg (Milwaukee Brewers), Bob Galasso (Baltimore), Steve Burke (Boston), Alan Griffin (Oakland), Bill Laxton (Detroit), Steve Barr (Texas), Joe Gerardi (Milwaukee). CATCHERS Bob Stinson (Kansas City Royals). INFIELDERS Bill Stein (White Sox), Dan Meyer (Detroit), Juan Bernhardt (Yankees), Tom McMillan (Cleveland), Joe Lis (Cleveland), Julio Cruz (Angels), Lou Delgado (Boston). OUTFIELDERS * Ruppert Jones (Kansas City), Dave Collins (Angels), Carlos Lopez (Angels), Steve Braun (Minnesota), Lee Stanton (Angels), Tommy Smith (Cleveland). TORONTO BLUE JAYS Nov. 5, 1976 PITCHERS Ted Garvin (Minnesota), Jim Clancy (Texas), Claude Edge (Milwaukee), Al Fitzmorris (Kansas City), Mike Darr (Baltimore), Pete Vukovich (White Sox), Jeff Byrd (Texas), Dennis DeBarr (Detroit), Bill Singer (Minnesota), Steve Hargan (Texas), Dave Lemanczyk (Detroit), Larry Anderson (Milwaukee), Jesse Jefferson (White Sox), Tom Bruno (Kansas City), Mike Willis (Baltimore), Leon Hooten (Oakland). CATCHERS Ernie Whitt (Boston). INFIELDERS * Bob Bailor (Baltimore), Jim Mason (Yankees), Doug Ault (Texas), Steve Weathers (Oakland), Steve Staggs (Kansas City), Garth Iorg (Yankees), Dave McKay (Minnesota). OUTFIELDERS Gary Woods (Oakland), Al Woods (Minnesota), Steve Bowling (Milwaukee), Otto Velez (Yankees), Sam Ewing (White Sox). DESIGNATED HITTER Rico Carty (Cleveland). * First selection --Before the addition of the Kansas City Royals, the Athletics were based in Kansas City. --The expansion Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers, the Houston Colt .45s later changed their name to Houston Astros and the Seattle Pilots became the Milwaukee Brewers.

All-Star Selections A look at some of the best players expansion drafts have produced: C: Ernie Whitt (Toronto, ‘77-87) Avg: .253 HR: 132 RBI: 521 C: Fran Healy (K. City, ‘69, ‘73-76) Avg: .258 HR: 17 RBI: 106 1B: Nate Colbert (San Diego, ‘69-74) Avg: .253 HR: 163 RBI: 481 1B: Dan Meyer (Mariners, ‘77-81) Avg: .265 HR: 64 RBI: 313 2B: Julio Cruz (Mariners, ‘77-83) Avg: .243 HR: 17 RBI: 162 3B: Bob Aspromonte (Hou., ‘62-68) Avg: .258 HR: 52 RBI: 393 3B: Garth Iorg (Toronto, ‘78-87) Avg: .258 HR: 20 RBI: 238 SS: Jim Fregosi (Angels, ‘61-71) Avg: .268 HR: 115 RBI: 546 OF: Chuck Hinton (Wash., ‘61-64) Avg: .280 HR: 49 RBI: 217 OF: Ruppert Jones (Mariners, ‘77-79) Avg: .257 HR: 51 RBI: 200 OF: Albie Pearson (Angels, ‘61-66) Avg: .275 HR: 24 RBI: 167 OF: Mack Jones (Montreal, ‘69-71) Avg: .250 HR: 39 RBI: 120 OF: Tommy Harper (Pilots, ‘69-71) Avg: .264 HR: 54 RBI: 174 DH: Otto Velez (Toronto, ‘77-82) Avg: .257 HR: 72 RBI: 243 P: Jim Clancy (Toronto, ‘77-89) W-L: 128-140 ERA: 4.11 P: Al Fitzmorris (Kansas City, ‘69-76) W-L: 70-45 ERA: 3.46 P: Dean Chance (Angels, ‘61-66) W-L: 74-66 ERA: 2.85 P: Bill Stoneman (Montreal, ‘69-73) W-L: 51-72 ERA: 4.00 P: Glenn Abbott (Mariners, ‘77-83) W-L: 42-60 ERA: 4.54 RP: Roy Thomas (Mariners, ‘83-87) W-L: 14-3 ERA: 3.92 RP: Tom Burgmeier (K. City, ‘69-73) W-L: 24-16 ERA: 3.20 RP: Diego Segui (Pilots, ‘69) W-L: 12-6 ERA: 3.35 RP: Dick Drago (Kansas City, ‘69-73) W-L: 61-70 ERA: 3.52 RP: Marty Pattin (Pilots, ‘69-71) W-L: 35-38 ERA: 3.77 --Compiled by Houston Mitchell

Draft Abstract Some of the lesser known facts and lists associated with expansion drafts. * ALL-DODGERS Some players perhaps best known as Dodgers. C Bob Stinson 1B Gil Hodges 2B Joe Amalfitano 3B Don Zimmer SS Maury Wills OF Tommy Davis OF Manny Mota P Bill Singer P Mike Marshall P Roger Craig P Hoyt Wilhelm * DOUBLE DUTY Players picked in two drafts. Bobby Shantz (Washington, Houston) Al Fitzmorris (Kansas City, Toronto) * MISSING IN ACTION Players who never played in the major leagues after being drafted. C Bob (Red) Wilson (Angels) IF Dan Haynes (Kansas City) IF Bill Harris (Kansas City) IF Don Ross (Angels) IF Steve Weathers (Toronto) P Duke Maas (Angels) P Bob Davis (Angels) P Buzz Stephen (Pilots) P Gerald Schoen (Pilots) P John Miklos (Pilots) P Charles Bates (Pilots) P Bob Richmond (Pilots) P Paul Click (Pilots) P John Glass (Montreal) P Leon Hooten (Toronto) P Dick James (San Diego) P Fred Katawczik (San Diego) P Jon Warden (Kansas City) P Paul Roof (Houston) P Alan Griffin (Mariners) P Steve Barr (Mariners) P Joe Gerardi (Mariners) * BIG-NAMES TEAM Some of the familiar names among non-Dodgers. C Choo Choo Coleman 1B Ted Kluszewski 2B Jerry Adair 3B Jim Fregosi SS Felix Mantilla OF Lou Piniella OF Cito Gaston OF Gus Bell DH Rico Carty P Bobby Shantz P Jim Rooker P Dean Chance * FUTURE MANAGERS And the teams that drafted them. Bob Lillis Houston Joe Amalfitano Houston Don Zimmer Mets Gil Hodges Mets Roger Craig Mets Cito Gaston San Diego Buck Rodgers Angels Ken Aspromonte Angels Jim Fregosi Angels Lou Piniella Pilots Mike Ferraro Pilots Maury Wills Expos * ONE-SEASON WONDERS An all-star team of players whose first season after being drafted was their best. C: Gene Green (Washington) .280, 18 HR, 62 RBI 1B: Steve Bilko (Angels) .279, 20 HR, 59 RBI 2B: Steve Staggs (Toronto) .259, 2 HR, 28 RBI 3B: Joe Foy (Kansas City) .262, 11 HR, 71 RBI SS: Bob Bailor (Toronto) .310, 5 HR, 21 RBI OF: Roman Mejias (Houston) .286, 24 HR, 76 RBI OF: Lee Stanton (Seattle) .275, 27 HR, 90 RBI OF: Ken Hunt (Angels) .255, 25 HR, 84 RBI P: None --Compiled by Houston Mitchell

Opening Acts A look at the first-year records of expansion teams:

Team W L Washington Senators 61 100 Angels 70 91 New York Mets 40 120 Houston Colt .45s 64 96 Montreal Expos 52 110 San Diego Padres 52 110 Kansas City Royals 69 93 Seattle Pilots 64 98 Seattle Mariners 64 98 Toronto Blue Jays 54 107

All-Flop Selections A look at some of the worst players expansion drafts have produced, as compiled by Houston Mitchell of the Times: C: Pete Daley (Washington, ‘61) Avg: .192 HR: 2 RBI: 17 1B: Joe Lis (Seattle, ‘77) Avg: .231 HR: 0 RBI: 1 2B: Chet Boak (Washington, ‘61) Avg: .000 HR: 0 RBI: 0 SS: Ray Oyler (Pilots, ‘69) Avg: .165 HR: 7 RBI: 22 3B: Eddie Yost (Angels, ‘61-62) Avg: .215 HR: 3 RBI: 25 OF: Jim Gosger (Pilots, ‘69) Avg: .109 HR: 1 RBI: 1 OF: John DeMerit (New York, ‘62) Avg: .188 HR: 1 RBI: 1 OF: Faye Throneberry (Angels, ‘61) Avg: .194 HR: 0 RBI: 0 DH: Steve Bowling (Toronto, ‘77) Avg: .206 HR: 1 RBI: 13 P: Bill Singer (Toronto, ‘77) W-L: 2-8 ERA: 6.79 P: Jay Hook (New York, ‘62-64) W-L: 12-34 ERA: 5.22 P: Jerry Casale (Angels, ‘61) W-L: 1-5 ERA: 6.54