During yesterdays Yankees / Cardinals game they mentioned that it was the 50th anniversary of the 64 world series between the two teams so I thought I'd give myself a test. Although I was only 10 at the time I bet myself that I could name at least 3 players from every 1964 team. I didn't do to bad as I was able to name at least 3 players from 15 of the 20 teams. The teams that stumped me were.............. Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians California Angels Washington Senators Houston Colt 45s It was really interesting going back & seeing the players stats from that year.
Just some fun facts from 1964 Batting champs = Roberto Clemente (339) N.L. & Tony Oliva (323) A.L. Home Runs = Willie Mays (47) N.L. & Harmon Killebrew (49) A.L. Runs battered in = Ken Boyer (119) N.L. & Frank Robinson (118) A.L. Stolen bases = Maury Wills (53) N.L. & Luis Aparicio (57) A.L. Wins = Larry Jackson (24) N.L. & Dean Chance (20) A.L. ERA = Sandy Koufax (1.74) N.L. & Dean Chance (1.65) A.L. Strike outs = Bob Veale (250) N.L. & Al Downing (217) A.L. M.V.P. = Ken Boyer N.L. & Brooks Robinson A.L. CYA = Dean Chance (through 1966 only one award was given Interesting stat = over 30 pitchers completed 10 games or more led by Juan Marichal with 22 & Don Drysdale with 21 And the next time anyone complains about a pitcher giving up to many HRs think of how bad Kansas City Athletic pitcher Orlando Pena felt in 1964 when he gave up a league leading 40
...I recall being in the car with Mom, Dad, and my Brother in '64 on our way from Memphis to Jacksonville during the final games of the WS. Just to shut me up, Dad let me listen to the game on the car radio. Yanx were ahead I believe until Ken Boyer hit that friggin; GS...I was inconsolable. ...as far as the Kansas City A's, during the 50's and 60's the A's were little more than the Yanx "secret" farm system...multiple one sided trades were made between the 2 teams. And though some of the other AL teams complained nothing was ever done about it.
And speaking of 1964 here in Queens NY they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the worlds fair. It was heart breaking seeing how the remaining landmarks from that fair are just rotting away. But there's hope as the city is trying to raise funds to preserve them. Yeah like this city can't afford to accomplish that.
That World Series found me at "A" 12th USASAFS Chitose Hokkaido Japan APO SF 96281. Our Site worked 24/7 shifts with Radio Coverage available but somewhat unclear at times. We were next to last on the Supply Chain so when the Papers came up from down south the game recaps were old. The two standouts for me were Mantles Gamer bomb and Stottlemyers first series win.
Well before my time but who knew at the time that the end of the 1964 season would start what would become a decade of losing.
In '64 you knew something was up, there were a few youngsters, but the basic cadre was getting more old, less bold. Mantle & Ford were operating more on guts than ability, Yogi done as a player, fired as a manager. CBS bought the team and just let it run into the ground. I remember seeing Steinbrenners first interview after he bought the team stating that the franchise was going to rise from the ashes. Thanks to Gabe Paul getting the trades and the managing of Virdon & Billy Martin they found their way back.
You know Michael even as a kid I remember thinking "Well, we'll have basically the same team in 65 that we had in 64" and we did. So logic dictated that if we won 99 games in 64 & in 65 the same group is coming back we should be okay right?...........WRONG! I had no idea at the time that 1964 would be the last really productive seasons of guys named Mantle, Ford, Maris, Howard & Bouton. Here's a quick look........... HOWARD went from, (150 games = 15/84/313) to (110 games = 9/45/233) MANTLE went from, (143 games = 35/111/303) to (122 games = 19/46/255) MARIS went from, (141 games = 26/71/281) to (46 games = 8/27/239) FORD went from, (17-6 with a 2.13 ERA) to (16-13 with a 3.24 ERA) BOUTON went from (18-13 with a 3.02 ERA) to (4-15 with a 4.82 ERA) Hell even our new kid named Pepitone went from 28/100/251 to 18/62/247 The results, 1964 = 99-63 to 1965 = 77-85 As a kid, I was crushed.
Which is all the more reason why you should NEVER question anything we older posters say. Instead you should just read, learn & take in the wisdom & knowledge that we could provide your young & unchallenged minds. So going forward remember we are here to teach. You are here to learn. And on that note..............You're dismissed.
That was a hard Series to believe. I was stunned, back then, I just knew everytime Mick hit a HR, the Yanks would inevitably WIN. But damn it they didn't. What blows my mind then and now, still, was of all players to ever steal Home-Tim McCarver, WTF...tim slow poke McCarver. Tho' Mick did hit his HR, w/3 RBI's in the game, who would of ever thought it would not be Lou Brock to steal Home? Even in the 9th, down 4 runs, I just knew when Clete Boyer hit his HR, even with 2 outs, and the legendary Bob Gibson on the mound, when Phil Linz hit his solo HR, (now down 3 runs, I just knew the Yanks comeback was going to happen.....it didn't). another interesting stat in that Series, was Gibson struck out 31 batters in 3 games. The entire Yankee Pitching staff had 39 K's. I was as much stunned when Ford only threw 5.1 innings in the first game only. I thought the Yanks were all Supermen, invincible who could not be stopped even with injury. Even with Mick's 61 sidelined injury, I thought he too would come back & pass Maris. those were the days...! Days, when our heroes were above Superman and Batman- our real life heroes, who were "faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, and could leap tall buildings in a single bounce". I guess that year was truly the end of our innocence...!
You can always apply for honorary membership....!!! Even if your young at heart, or age, your both old souls.....regardless of age, or before your time, you are entitled.......!
Delusions of grandeur are the early warning signs of senility. Next comes denial and deflection, that's the next major stage of its progression.
I know this wasn't directed at me but, I really don't think Rob, Ron, Michael & a few of the other posters won't appreciate your snot nose attitude.
Here's my thing, at age 68 I'm still on the dance floor, singing and playing my guitars. Other than an occasional aspirin, a one time shot of Percodan for a turned ankle, and some primatine once when I had pleurisy I was not going to sacrifice a military career for drugs. I quit drinking back in 1974, bounced the smokes over 7 years ago. I utilize excercises from my Military PT Days, 3 days a week, aerobics the other three. I have sustained a runners build all my life. You may call me old if you like but see if you can be where I am when you arrive there as well. My dad used to say if you sit on your ass, you'll be on your ass and I've found that to be very true. Aging is like death and taxes. inevitable I just deal with it the best I can.
...rick, tote is just poking at you with a sharp stick...no malice intended. His sense of humor is twisted, like my own.
