Leecemark Knights

[leecemark]

--Each owner should start a team specific thread. Put whatever kind of info you want ino your intro post. As soon as you get it started, I'll copy all the results from your 1961 season there.

[leecemark]

--The Knights were a rousing success in the first season of the CKL, wiining 117 games and coasting to first place in the Ban Johnson. They followed that up with a sweep of the Cannons in the Divisonal Playoffs and a five game victory over the Hard Cider in the Diamond Classic Series.
--Firstbasman Jim Gentile was a unamimous MVP choice and Camilio Pascual won the Cy Young award. Those two made the All Star games, as did Junior Gilliam, Leo Cardenas, Eddie Mathews, Willie Mays, Bill Stafford and Barney Schultz.

[leecemark]

--Departures:
--Rocky Colavito departed as a free agent, signing a lucrative deal with the Gamblers. We'd have liked to have Rocky back, as he was a big part of our championship season in 1961, but we just couldn't match the Gambler's offer without creating some major payroll issues for the future.
--Trades:
Frank Funk was traded to the Hard Cider for Roger Maris, in a deal we were only able to pull off due to Mac's looking to reduce salary. Frank was terrific out of the pen for us lastyear, but we have soem depth there and Maris should be a quality replacement for Colavito
Steve Barber and Bob Skinner went to the Cannons for Bill Henry and a 1964 1st rounder and 1962 third rounder. This was a move for the future. Barber was not easy to part with, but Skinner thought he should be starting and that wasn't going to happen with us.
Non-tendered
--Don Schwall, Jake Wood and Bob Neiman were not offered contracts for 1962.

Draft
3rd round (25th overall): Max Alvis. Alvis will open the season in AA ball, but we feel he can step in and play regularly if Eddie Mathews leaves via free agency or needs to move to 1B one day.
3rd round (27th overall): Dennis Bennett. The fireballing young lefty has a shot at making the opening day roster or even replacing Barber in the rotation. We definately expect him to make the 1963 rotation.
4th round (36th overall): Don Rudolph. A 30 year old rookie sleeper who worked in the indie leagues last season. Don will be competing with Bennett for the last rotation spot.

Free Agents
The Knights made an offer to Mickey Mantle and made a strong effort to bring back Colavito, but the market for the big hitters last offseason got a little rich for our blood. Our lone signing was Frank Torre who is expected to replace Bob Skinner as the team's PH specialist.

[leecemark]

--Smokey Braithwaite gives a state of team report on the eve of the 62 season; "Roger Maris stepped into Colavito's spot and we look to have a big season out of him. The rest of our lineup returns and we'll be disappointed if we don't put another 1,000 runs on the board. We do have some changes on the bench."
--"Dicky Schofield replaces Jake Wood and gives us a true utility man with a nice glove. He even had a nice spring with the bat. Lee Maye came to camp out of shape and had a dismal spring, losing the 4th OF spot to Lou Johnson. Frank Torre claimed the PHing spot vacated by Skinner. He also looked pretty good at 1B and gives us a solid backup there. Mack Jones also had a nice spring. He'll be starting out at AAA, but would be our first callup if we need another hitter. It was a tough call sendig him down."
--"We had two rotation spots open when camp opened. Billy Stafford, coming off an outstanding seasonas a swingman, was the favorite for one of them and did nothing to change our mind. Don Rudolph beat out youngsters Ray Washburn and Dennis Bennett for the last slot. The bullpen saw even more turnover, with only Barney Schultz and Chet Nichols returning."
--"Don Elston had a nice season at AAA last year and an even better spring. The coaching staff expect him to play a key role this season. Hard throwing righthanders Don Nottebart and Bill Daley also impressed and won jobs. Dennis Bennett beat out vets Jack Spring and Bill Henry (sore arm) for the 2nd LHer job. Bobby Bolin we want to start the season in the Squires rotation. We see his future as a starter and he needs to strech out after spending the year in relief last year."
--Pop Oldfarte chimed in; "I think Smokey has given me an even better team than last year's champs. We got a little younger, but after all my years in the minors I enjoy the kids and we have to give them a shot if we're going to contend in the future."

[leecemark]

--1962 was another fine season for the Knights. They cruised to their 2nd Johnson divison title and swept the Skipjacks in the divisional series (Eddie Mathews MVP) before losing to a great Hard Cider ballclub in the Diamond Classic Series.
--1962 All Stars were Mays, Mathews, Gentile, Gilliam, Pascual and Schultz (all repeat selections), plus Romano and Elston (first timers). Don Rudolph won the Rookie of the Year award.

[leecemark]

--As we break from Spring Traing, Pop Oldfarte takes a look at the 1963 Knights;
--"This may be the best edition of the Knights yet. Our pitching is stronger and deeper than either of the past two season. Pascaul, Simmons and Broglio are all back and healthy. They all looked very sharp this spring too. Rookie Gary Peters looks like he is ready to contribute right away too. He may have the best stuff on the staff and he was blowing hitters away this spring. With the injuries to Stafford and Rudolph we were concerned about rounding out the rotation, but Don Nottebart had a great sprign and we feel good about him as the 5th starter."
--"The Bullpen also looks tough. Barney Schultz hasn't been able to find the touch on his knuckler and he will be staying behind for some extended spring training, but Don Elston is coming off a great year and will take over the closer role. Bill Dailey had an awesome spring and he'll move into Elston's set up role. Gary Bell seems to have worked out the problems he had last year and we expect alot of strong relief innings from him this year. Dennis Bennett looks great as our #1 LHP out of the pen. His command is much better than his 62 rookie campaign. Joe Gibbon won the 2nd lefty spot, but vets Jack Spring and Bill Henry both looked good too. Bobby Bolin won the last spot in the pen, but Don Larsen was a very tough cut. Pitching depth is a real strength this year."
--"The lineup looks to be another blockbuster. For the second year in a row we lost a slugging RFer to free agency and for the second year in a row Smokey landed a top notch replacement. Daddy Wags is a proven hitter and his swing is tailor made for our stadium. Earl Battey takes over at catcher. he should be able to replace the offense we lost in Romano and is an upgrade defensively. Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Jim Gentile and Junior Gilliam all return and we expect them to be as good as they were last season. Lee Thomas' shoulder injury may prevent him from contributing this year, but youngsters Lee Maye and Mike Hershberger had good springs and should be able to hold down LF. They are both very good defenders, as well as promising hitters. Dick McAuliffe had a great spring (and Leo Cardenas did not) and will get alot more time at SS. We'll open with a platoon there."
--"The bench should be significantly better this season too. We were convinced Tim McCarver was ready to start at catcher when we traded Romano, but with the signing of Earl Battey he will make a top reserve instead. Jesse Gonder was our best hitter all spring and also makes the team as 3rd catcher/pinch hitter. Woody Held will back up 2B/3B and can also play SS and corner OF. He also adds some RH pop to the bench. Rookie Vic Davalillo adds speed and defense to the outfield and made solid contact all spring."
--"Its a pretty good ballclub and we expect to contend for the division title again and think to make it back to the Diamond Classic where we hope to reclaim the championsip. Expectations are always high here in Motown."

[leecemark]

--The Knights recorded another fine year in 1963. We put up the league's best record, recording our third consecutive Johnson Division title. The season did end on a sour note as the Knights were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the wild card Cannons.
--Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Jim Gentile and Camilio Pascaul all made their 3rd straight All Star game, joined by Bob Friend, Gary Peters , Curt Simmons and Leon Wagner. The Knights were bridesmaids in all the major awards votings, with Mays #2 in MVP, Pascaul #2 in YTA and Peters #2 in ROY.

[leecemark]

--The past offseason was the most eventfull in the Knights brief history. Half the starting lineup and 2 rotation spots, plus 40% of total roster turned over.
--Starting catcher Earl Battey was lost to the expansion draft. Young Tim McCarver steps in as #1 catcher. Del Crandell was signed to provide some experience in the backup role. Jim Gentile had some injury problems and struggled against LHP in 1963. Former MVP Ernie Banks was picked up from the Redbirds to share the job. Junior Gilliam also had some injury problems that required offseason surgery and will keep him off the Opening Day roster. Dick McAuliffe makes the shift to 2B. Slick fielding young Dick Green was picked up from the Skipjacks as defensive insurance.
--The biggest defection was future Hall of Fame thirdbaseman Eddie Mathews, who left via free agency. All Star 3B Ken Boyer was picked up from the Redbirds to fill the hole. Another slick fielding young infielder, Don Wert, was picked up from the Shoeless Joes in a move to ensure the future of the position. Leo Cardenas returns at shortstop.
--Lee Maye shared the leftfield job in 63 and is expected to take charge there in 64. Willie Mays, of course, returns to his customary CF spot. In a surprise Spring Training deal young slugger Billy Williams was picked up in a deal with the rebuilding Redbirds. Vetern Jimmie Piersall was signed as the 4the outfielder and Lee Thomas rejoins the squad after missing 1963 to injury.
--Camilio Pascual, the winningest pitcher in CKL history, was traded to the Redbirds in the Boyer deal. Last year's 5th starter, Don Nottebart, came down with a sore arm and won't be available creating a second opening in the rotation. Gary Peters, Bob Friend and Curt Simmons all return after fine 1963 campaigns. Bob Bruce, the Knights minor league pitcher of the year in 1963, won one of the jobs with an outstanding spring. Vern Law, coming off 3 years of rehab, won the 5th starter job. Bob Bolin will return as spot satrt/longman. First round draft pick Sonny Seibert may be in the mix before the season is over as well. The youngster has the best fastball in the organization and looked like he was ready to face in big boys this spring.
--Barney Schultz reclaimed the closer job after spending 1963 back in he minors. Bill Henry also returns as the lefty stopper after 2 years of arm trouble. Don Larsen made the shift to full time reliever at Kalamazoo last year and looked great in that role this spring. Long time minor league reliever Arnie Earley won the 2nd lefty job. John Wyatt was picked up in a trade with the Pirates to add some depth, beating out free agent Ryne Duren for the last spot in the pen.
--The Knights look to defend the three year reign as Johnson division champs. We're trying to rebuild on the fly and this may not be quite as dominating as some of our past editions, but it should be a fine team and contend right to the end.

[leecemark]

--The Knights recorded their 4th straight 100 win season and 4th straight Johnson Division title. The season ended in disappointment, however, as they were swept by the Hard Cider in the openig round of the playoffs.
--The club did enjoy some individual honors. Willie Mays won the MVP. Gary Peters finished 3rd in the CY Young voting. Mays (for the 4th time), Peters and Don Larsen made the All Star team.

[leecemark]

--Smokey Braithwaite and Pop Oldfarte met with the press at the close of Spring Training to discuss the outlook for 1965. Braithwaite was pleased with his new acquistions; "We are very happy to have Camilio Pascaul back on board. Trading him away last season proved to be one of my worst moves since the start up of the franchise. I know there is alot of talk about us overpaying for Gene Oliver, but he is a very good young slugger who ought to help with our problems vs LHP the past couple seasons. That he can help out a catcher makes him all the more valuable. Young Willie Horton also looks like he is going to add some serious punch to the lineup. He will start right away. Lindy McDaniel is going to make an impact in the bullpen as well. I think we've got all the pieces in place to get the ring which has eluded us the last 3 seasons."
--Pop was equally enthusistic about the lineup; "this may be the best team we put on the field since the 61 champions. Tim Mccarver and Don Paveltich should be better with a year of experience. Pavlo has been crushing the ball this spring. Gentile is back at 1B with OLiver as his new and improved platoon partner. Junior Gilliam is healthier than he has been in a couple years, looking great and winning the secondbase job back this spring. Dick Green will also get some time there. Don Wert is back at 3B after winning the job from Boyer at mid-season last year. McAuliffe has an ailing back which is giving him a hard time in the field, but he is swing the bat well and will open the season as a pinch hitter. Willie Horton looks like a star in the making in LF, but Lee Thomas also swung the bat very well and it was a tough decision on who should get the job. Willie will again be an MVP candidate in CF and Billy Williams should have a big season for us in RF,"
--"We do have some pitching questions. Gary Peters will not be coming north with us due to arm problems. Bob Bruce gets the Opening Day start based on his performance last season, but he didn't have avery good spring. Vern Law looks sharp and healthy, but he hasn't spent a full season in the rotation since 1960. Sonny Seibert and Bobby Bolin are very talented young pitchers, but neither has proven they are up to the grind of 200+ innings. We are happy to have Camilio back, but the concerns about his arm that led us to deal him last year weren't lessened by another year of heavy duty. We do have some other options in youngsters Boswell, Dierker, McGlothlin and McGraw but none of them seem quite ready for the show. Mike McCormick also appears to be healthy for the first time in several years. The bullpen is a little unsettled too. Barney Shultz has gone from closer to the minors for the second time in 3 years. Bill Henry and Don Larsen both experienced some arm issues this spring following their stellar 1964 campaigns. John Wyatt did have a good spring and opens the season as closer. Arnie Early also looked pretty good and rookie Jack Aker won an opening day job. The big additon, of course, is Lindy McDaniel who I'll be looking for alot of innings from this year."
--We are going to have a very good team this year. If our pitchers stay healthy and the young guys step up it could be a great one."

[leecemark]

--The Knights struggled early this season. The pitching was a huge problem early on. Opening Day starter Bob Bruce ended up spending most of the season in the minors, as did closer John Wyatt. Long time pitching coach Johnny Morgan was fired and replaced by Johnny Sain. Two months into the season the team was barely over .500 and in a dog fight for the division.
--We did come together and ended up running away with the division and recording our 5th straight 100 win campaign. After two years of being bounced in the first round, the Knights handled the Cannons 3-1 in the Divisional playoffs this year. That led to a third matchup with the Hard Cider in the 1965 Diamond Classic Series. Mac won the first three games, but our boys came back to win the next 3, setting up a dramatic game 7. Unfortunately, the season ended with a loss again and that second championship continues to elude us.
--There were some individual honors for the Knights. Willie Mays won his second consecutive MVP award. Willie Horton finish third in the RoY voting. Mays and Vern Law made the All Star team.
--Knights manager Clarence "Pop" Oldfarte announced his retirement effective at the end of the season. Thanks for 5 great years Pop:applaud: .

[leecemark]

--New manager Walt Alston led the Knights to a 6th consecutive Johnson Division title and the league's best regular season record. For the second straight season the team struggled early, but a trade for pitcher Juan Marichal lead to an upturn in team fortunes, as the Domincan Dandy tossd shutouts in 4 of his first 5 starts and the Knights never looked back.
--Marichal finished 2nd in the CY Young balloting, while infielder Dick McAuliffe had a break out season and finished 2nd in the MVP voting. Marichal, McAuliffe, Gary Peters, Jack Aker and, of course, Willie Mays (for the 6th consecutive season) made the All Star team. Rookies Tommy Agee and Adolpho Phillips made strong contributions to the 1966 club, which was the Knights youngest and fastest team so far.
--Once again the season ended with a loss. The Knights were bounced in the first round of the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years.

[leecemark]

--It was a very active offseason for the Knights. After their collapse in the playoffs, rookie manager walt Alston was let go and young Earl Weaver gets the job. Last year's big free agent signee. Bob Allison, was unhappy with the way things worked out and demanded a trade. He was moved to the Diablos for a 2nd round pick in 1969. The money freed up by that move allowed the Knights to make their biggest free agent signing ever in Jim Fregosi. The former Skipjacks SS becomes the highest paid player in Knights historyand was briefly the highest paid player in CKL history.
--The Knights traded up in this year's rookie draft to land exciting catching prospect Manny Sanguillen. He was overshadowed somewhat by uberprospect Johnny Bench, but Knights scouts think he was not just the 2nd best catcher in this draft, but the 2nd best young catcher to come along since the CKL was formed. We also made a move to secure the Badgers #1 pick in the 1968 draft. The Knights sent their 1965 first rounder, Cesar Tovar, plus youngsters Horace Clarke and Woody Fryman to the Badgers. In addition to the pick, former Knights ace Camilio Pascual returned in the deal for his third stint with Leecemark.
--Other than Fregosi the Knights lineup will look much the same as the 1966 outfit. McCarver is back at catcher, Parker at firstbase, Wert at 3b, Williams in LF and, of course, Willie Mays in CF. Adolpho Phillips gets the full time job in RF after an outstandign rookie season as the 4th outfielder last season. Dick McAuliffe shifts from SS to 2B this season.
--Paveltich returns as #2 catcher. Pagan and Cardenas will back up the IF. Agee and Maye are the reserve outfielders and rookie 1B Mike Epstein joins the squad as backup 1B/PH.
--The rotation will look very different. Bolin and Dierker suffered arm problems and won't go north with the team. Bolin, at least, is expected to miss the entire season. Marichal, Peters and Seibert return, joined by rookies Jim McGlothlin and Mel Queen. McGlothlin was the Knights minor league pitcher of the year in 66, but Queen is a bit of a surprise. Queen is a converted outfielder with electric stuff who dominated in spring training.
--Lindy McDaniel , Hank Aguirre, John Wyatt and Casey Cox return in the bullpen. 1966 All Star Jack Aker is yet another ailing pitcher and lefty Woody Fryman was traded. Their spots are taken by converted starters Don Nottebart and Jerry Arrigo.
--Hopes are high for the Knights 7th straight Johnson Division title and perhaps a return to championship honors. The division does look quite a bit tougher than last year's cakewalk though. New owner Kyle has been very active with the Gambers. The Redbirds rebuilding project looks to be coming along and the Gold Sox also look to be developing from their expansion roots into a team with a future.

[leecemark]

--The Knights entered 1967 with a new look. Walter Alston had been dismissed after only one year at the helm by young Earl Weaver. The Knights signed SS Jim Fregosi away from the Skipjacks for a record (briefly league and team by a wide margin) 22M/3 year deal. Weaver shook the team up, putting rookies Mel Queen and JIm McGlothlin into the rotation and giving 2nd year man Adolpho Phillips the full time job in RF.
--The new look Knights stumbled out of the gate. Queen had his struggled, McGlothlin proved not quite ready and a bad back had ace Juan Marichal getting the ball up in the zone - and all to often flying into the bleachers. The bullpen also had problems and Weaver tried moving Queen and Sonny Seibert into the fireman role to try and get the pitching straightened out. The offense was solid, but franchise player Willie Mays was showing his age and nobody was really stepping up to fill the void. Big free agent signee Jim Fregosi got off to a slow start and the boo birds were on him.
--The Knights trailed the Gamblers at the All Star break and the Motown press was calling for Weaver's head. The popular opinion was that the Knights had turned the team over to a too inexerperienced manager and that the dynasty was crumbling. Gary Peters was the teams only All Star and almost single handedly held the staff together.
--Slowly the team began to gel. The ace of the early Knights teams, Camilio Pascaul, returned for a third stint with the team and proved an upgrade over McGlothlin. Young Dave Baldwin was picked up from the Legends at the All Star break to shore up the bullpen and Seibert and Queen went back to the rotation fulltime. Fregosi recovered from his bad start and by season's end looked like the league's best SS. By August the Knights moved past the Gamblers, although they didn't clinch the division util the final week.
--The Knights had a rematch with last year's first round nemisis Skipjacks in the Divisional playoffs. Fregosi's change of teams proved to be the difference as he was MVP of the series win over his former team. Leecemark met long time rival Mac's Hard Cider in the Diamond Classic - the 4th meeting in 7 seasons for the 2 ballclubs. Willie Mays bounced back from his worst season to win the MVP of this series. Cy Young Gary Peters won a pair of games and the bullpen that had been such a problem early in the season dominated here - giving up only 2 runs in 15 2/3 IP in the 4-1 triumph over the Hard Cider. Rookie manager Earl Weaver delivered a championhship, breaking a run of 5 years of postseason disappointment!

[leecemark]

--The Knights had a few problems to deal with this past offseason. Reigning CYA winner Gary Peters and outstanding rookie pitcher Mel Queen both underwent offseason arm surgery, as did reliever Don Nottebart. For Queen and Nottebart the injuries are career threatening. Peters arm problems are a reoccurence of the issues that caused him to be shut down for 1965 season. The Knights other big problem was financial. The expenditures of the 1967 campaign and raises due to veteran stars put the team over the salary cap. Unfortunately that meant Peters hefty contract was a luxury Leecemark could afford and he had to be non-tendered. The "good news" is the injury scared off anyone else from signing Peters and he is back on a minor league deal to rehab. The bad news is we are not counting on him to contribute this season.
--With two big holes in the rotation and the first pick in the rookie draft the Knights selected Andy Messersmith. The Angels immediately made us an offer we couldn't refuse though - 2nd overall pick Bobby Bonds plus 2 picks in the 69 draft (or one an an option to move up in the 1st round). We entered Spring Training with big questions about of pitching. Larry Deirker appears healthy after missing the 67 campaign and won one of the spots. The options for the other opening did not impress though and a deal was struck to acquire Legends lefthander Tommy John to fill the spot. John is coming off a strong 1967 season and we hope he can build on that.
--Summing up the rotation; Juan Marichal looks healthy after struggling with back problems in 1967. He are counting on him to return to ace status. Sonny Seibert mves up to the 2nd slot and we are hoping he can turn his flashes of brillance into a dominant season. Camilio Pascaul has lost a little zip off the fastball since his glory days, but he knows how to get the job done and we are counting on him to build off his comeback season last year. Larry Deirker is healthy and were are hoping he can step forward in his 4th year with the organization. John has a sore elbow and will open as the 5th starter, but has the talent to deliver a big season.
--The bullpen also has a new look. Former starter Bobby Bolin returns from a lost 67 season and looked very sharp (and pain free!) this spring. Veteran Lindy McDaniel was sent to Legends in the John deal, but promising youngster Eddie watt came over that deal and should play a key role for the Knights this year. Casey Cox is another pitcher down with injuries, but John Purdin had a big spring to win a job. Lefties Hank Aguirre and Jim Roland return, as does righthander Fred Lasher.
--The lineup returns mostly intact. Don Wert is not fully recovered from his injuries in the Diamond Classic and was let go as part of our salary purge. 1966 first overall pick Sal Bando steps in as our starting 3B. He may have even had Wert remained healthy. This kid is too good to stay down on the farm! Rightfielder Aldolpho Phillips celebrated his breakout season a little too much, showin gup for camp 20 lbs overweight. Young Bobby Bonds took advantage of the opportunity, dazzling everyone this spring and moving ahead of Phillips on the depth chart. The rest of the lineup remains the same. McCarver at catcher, Parker and Epstein sharing 1B, McAuliffe at 2B, Fregosi at SS, Williams in LF and, of course, franchise player Willie Mays in CF.
--Elston Howard showed up to camp in great shape and wonthe backup catching gig, pushing Paveltich into mostly a PHing role. Minor league FA Gary Sutherland won a utility IF job. Backup outfielder Lee Maye returns and his hot spring will get him some playing time to start the season.
--Manger Earl Weaver says he expects the team to repeat and Johnson Division champs. "We've been on top for 7 years running and we expect to stay there. We do have a few more questions than past seasons. Injuries have thinned our pitiching and several key players are getting to the age where they eithe need more rest and/or are in danger of decline. Our cap issues prevented us from doing as much as we'd have liked in adding depth, but if we can avoid major injury we'll be fine. The two kids, Bando and Bonds, bring fresh legs and energy and both should be stars although maybe not this year. I feel alot better about our pitching after picking up John and Watt. This was a great deal by Mr Braithwaite, acquiring that kid of talent with our cap situation. It won't be easy. The Gold Sox have put together a terrific team this year and the Redbirds youth movement appears to be paying off. If the Gamblers hadn't suffered even more injury problems and lost Gaylord Perry to free agency we'd really have our hands full. Anything but another pennant is a failed season though and we don't plan on this being the year we come up short."

[leecemark]

--This season saw the Knights reign over the Ban Johnson Division come to an end. After 7 seasons on top the club came up 2 games short to an outstanding Gold Sox outfit. Leecemark did record their 8th straight 100 win season and playoff appearance though, taking the Wild Card handily. The Knights proved no match for a powerhouse Legends squad in the first round. The Legends, who set the single season wins record during the regular season, sent our boys home in 4 games.
--Five Knights made the All Star team this year; Willie Mays (7th time), Billy Williams, Dick McAuliffe, Jim Fregosi and Sonny Seibert. Billy Williams became the 4th Knight to win the MVP award. Joining him in the MVP top 10 were Mays (7th time in 8 years) and McAuliffe (3rd year in a row). Sonny Seibert paced the pitching staff, recording his best season to lead the team in wins and ERA.

[leecemark]

--With expansion threatening to break up the core of the original Knight's franchise draft its time for a look at our carrer leaders. 8 players remain from the 1961 start up draft and they feature prominantly in our leader boards. Those players are Willie Mays, Camillo Pascaul, Dick McAuliffe, Gary Peters, Bobby Bolin, Leo Cardenas, Tim McCarver and Lee Maye. Pascual is a free agent this year and McAuliffe, Peters, Bolin, McCarver and Maye are eligible to leave via the expansion draft.

Batting Leaders
Hits
1) Willie Mays 1497 (8 seasons)
2) Billy Williams 916 (5)
3) Dick McAuliffe 844 (8)
4) Jim Gentile 685 (5)
5) Tim McCarver 681 (6)
BA
1) Eddie Mathews .310 (3)
2) Billy Williams .302 (5)
3) Willie Mays .301 (8)
4) Lee Thomas .298 (5)
5) Lee Maye .292 (8)
HR
1) Willie Mays 326 (8)
2) Jim Gentile 188 (5)
3) Billy Williams 129 (5)
4) Eddie Mathews 99 (3)
5) Dick McAulliffe 79 (8)
RBI
1) Willie Mays 1118 (8)
2) Jim Gentile 551 (5)
3) Billy Williams 507 (5)
4) Dick McAuliffe 446 (8)
5) Tim McCarver 378 (6)
Runs
1) Willie Mays 1003 (8)
2) Dick McAuliffe 519 (8)
3) Billy Williams 514 (5)
4) Jim Gentile 469 (5)
5) Eddie Mathews 437 (3)
SB (not exactly a big part of our game :))
1) Willie Mays 59 (8)
2) Adolpho Phillips 31 (3)
3) Billy Williams 18 (5)
4) Jim Gilliams 12 (5)
5) Lee Maye 11 (8)
OBP
1) Eddie Mathews .414 (3)
2) Jim Gentile .391 (5)
3) Jim Gilliam .385 (5)
4) Willie Mays .373 (8)
5) Dick McAuliffe .371 (8)
SLG
1) Jim Gentile .576 (5)
2) Willie Mays .570 (8)
3) Eddie Mathews .543 (3)
4) Billy Williams .506 (5)
5) Lee Thomas .496 (5)

Pitching Leaders
Wins
1) Camilio Pascaul 101-43 (7)
2) Gary Peter 84-29 (5)
3) Sonny Seibert 57-40 (5)
4) Bobby Bolin 56-33 (7)
5) Juan Marichal 48-30 (3)
Games
1) Bobby Bolin 306 (7)
2) Lindy McDaniel 208 (3)
3) Camilio Pascual 202 (7)
4) Barney Schultz 190 (4)
5) Don Larsen 174 (4)
IP
1) Camilio Pascaul 1262 (7)
2) Gary Peters 1014 (5)
3) Sonny Seibert 906 (5)
4) Bobby Bolin 798 (7)
5) Juan Marichal 657 (3)
CG
1) Juan Marichal 33 (3)
2) Gary Peters 28 (5)
3) Camilio Pacaul 18 (7)
4) Sonny Seibert 11 (5)
5) Curt Simmons 7 (3) and Bobby Bolin 7 (7)
K's
1) Camilio Pascaul 910 (7)
2) Sonny Seibert 646 (5)
3) Gary Peters 636 (5)
4) Bobby Bolin 596 (7)
5) Juan Marichal 446 (3)
ERA
1) Gary Peters 2.93 (5)
2) Sonny Seibert 3.45 (5)
3) Camilio Pascaul 3.69 (7)
4) Curt Simmons 3.88 (3)
5) Juan Marichal 3.97 (3)
Saves
1) Barney Schultz 92 (4)
2) Lindy McDaniel 67 (3)
3) Bill Henry 33 (3)
4) Eddie Watt 25 (1)
5) Don Larsen 15 (4) and Jack Aker 15 (3)

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--The expansion draft only cost the Knights two starters from last year. Catcher Tim McCarver and SS Jim Fregosi went to the Thunder and Appletonia, respectively. The two winningest pitchers in team history also departed. Camilio Pascaul underwent surgery which will keep him out all season, if not end his career. Gary Peters who missed most of last year to injury was another expansion casuality, but probably wouldn't have made the team anyway as his arm problems persist.
--Last year's Knights Minor League Player of the Year, Manny Sanguillen, steps in as the new catcher. He'll be backed up by another rookie, Ken Suarez, and last year's backup moves to the coaching staff to help the youngster's adjust to the majors. Wes Parker returns at 1B and Mike Epstein, who shared the job last year, moves to the new DH position. Epstein had a big spring and Manager Earl Weaver is looking for the big fella to break out this year. Dick McAuliffe returns at 2B, but his balky knee means Gary Sutherland will get plenty of playing time. Sal Bando is back at 3B and is expected to build on a solid rookie season. MVP Billy Williams is back in LF, franchise player Willie Mays in CF and 2nd year man Bobby Bonds in RF. Utility man Marty Martinez, outfielder Buddy Bradford and impressive young hitter Carl Taylor round out the bench.
--Juan Marichal had a very good spring and looks to be all the way back from injury problems that slowed him the past 2 seasons. Larry Deirker also looks very sharp and should be able to build on his 14 wins last season. 1968 All Star Sonny Seibert also returns to the rotation. Casey Cox, who was a key reliever for the 67 champions, has converted to a starting role and claimed a rotation slot. Jim McGlothlin claims the 5th spot after several previous less than successfull audtions. Eddie Watt returns as closer. Veteran relief ace Don McMahon was acquired to serve in a set up role. Jim Roland and Jack Aker return. Rookie Tug McGraw and free agent Cal Koonce add depth to the pen.
--GM Smokey Braithwaite expects this group to be amoung the best he's assembled. Mgr Earl Weaver will be satisfied with nothing less than reclaiming the Johnson Division title and making a serious run at the championship.

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--The Knights reclaimed the Johnson Division title and recorded their 9th straight 100 win season. Juan Marichal won 25 on his way to becoming the CKL's all time wins leader. Larry Deirker added 23 wins. Sal Bando came in 3rd in the MVP vote and Manny Sanguillen 3rd in the ROY vote. Bando, McAuliffe and Marichal made the All Star game.
--The Knights took the wild card Cloverleafs 4-1 in the first round to set up another playoff meeting with their long time rival Hard Cider. They took that match up 4-2 to advance to the Diamond Classic. Our luck ran out against a Legends team that had osted the leagues best record - for the 3rd year in a row. The Legends came out on top 4-2.
--Sal Bando claims Knight's player of the year honors and Larry Deirker is pitcher of the year.

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--As the CKl picks its all Decade Team, the Knights have also announced their franchise All Decade squad;
C: Tim McCarver (1963-68)
1B: Jim Gentile (1961-65)
2B: Junior Gilliam (1961-65)
3B: Eddie Mathews (1961-63)
SS: Dick McAuliffe (1961-69)
LF: Lee Maye (1961-68)
CF: Willie Mays (1961-69) - Player of the Decade
RF: Billy Williams (1965-69)
SP: Camilio Pascaul (1961-63, 65-68) - Pitcher of the Decade
SP: Gary Peters (1963-68)
SP: Juan Marichal (1966-69)
SP: Sonny Seibert (1964-69)
RP: Barney Schultz (1961-64)

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--The 1969-70 offseason was relatively uneventfull for the Knights. Only one change from the 1969 lineup, as 1B Wes Parker left via free agency - signing a 10M/3 Yr deal with the Cloverleafs. He was replaced by veteran slugger Deron Johnson, also a free agent, who will DH this year with Mike Epstein moving to 1B. The rotation welcomes 3 new members. Rookies Dave Roberts and Bob Johnson and perinennal prospect Jim McGlothlin join Hold over Juan Marichal and Sonny Seibert. 1969 pitcher of the year Larry Deirker left via free agency, as did Casey Cox. Jim Rooker was traded. The bullpen remains mostly intact, although 2 more rookies - Ron Klimkowski and Bill Zepp - made the team.
--Manager Earl Weaver is optimistic about the team's chances of remaining atop the Johnson Division. "The offense should be as potent as last season, if not moreso. We'll miss Dierker, but the young arms we have coming up look very good. I like our pitching depth more this spring than I did last summer."
--Other new Knights this spring include; catchers Tom Satriano and Paul Ratliff, infielder Paul Popovich and rookie outfielder Jim Lytle. Former Knights outfielder Adolpho Phillips, lost to expansion last year, returned via free agency this season. The Knights also signed several former CKL mainstays to minor league deals. Infielders Ron Hansen and Cookie Rojas and relief pitcher Joe Gibbon all hope to contribute to the club before the season is over.

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--The Knights won the Johnson Division flag for the 9th time in 10 seasons . Their 110 wins won them the PAP League bye and made it a record 10 100 win seasons in a row. The year ended on a sour note when the team came up flat vs the Hard Cider in the playoffs.
--3B Sal Bando, C Manny Sanguillen, LF Billy Williams, SP Juan Marichal and RP Tug McGraw represented the team in the All Star Game. Bando was the team's player of the year and Marichal the pitcher.

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--The Knights return 7 members of the 1970 lineup, all 5 SP and all the key members of the bullpen. The big move of the offseason was the trade of slugging LFer Billy Williams to the Gold Sox for a package of draft choices. Williams was made expendable by the emergence of youg outfielder Willie Montanez, although free agent Ken Henderson ended up claiming the LF job with Montanez lining up as the Opening Day DH. Cookie Rojas won the 2B job from Dick McAuliffe and briefly chased him off the roster, but Mac returned to the team in a reserve role. Former #1 draft choice Cesar Tovar was also signed to strengthen the bench.
--The only new pitchers on this year's staff are fireballing rookie Bart Johnson and veteran lefty Joe Gibbon - both of whom assume secondary bullpen roles. Juan Marichal, Dave Roberts and Sonny Seibert make a formidable Big Three for the rotation. Eddie Watt, Tug McGraw and Lloyd Allen front the bullpen.
--This is the deepest and most talented Knights team in several years and should once again be the favorite for the Johnson Division title. It is also a club with a number of aging players and/or pending free agents. This may be the last chance for a title for awhile.

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--The Knights had an interesting season. They faced a new rival in the Sockeye Angels and by the All Star break looked like they would spend the summer staring up at them. Despite putting 6 players on the All Star team - Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Cookie Rojas, Leo Cardenas, Dave Roberts and Tug McGraw - the Knights were down 8 games.
--They raced out the gate at a blistering pace for the 2nd half though. All Star reliever McGraw joined the rotation and the team played the best ball in the league for 2 months. By the time the streak was over they had turned the 8 game deficiet into a 7 game lead. They cooled down the strech though and the Angels came back to back a race of it. The teams headed into a 4 game set to end the season with the Knights lead down to one. Going into the final game the lead was gone and it was all on the line. The Angels led by 3 going into the 9th and things looked gloomy for the Knights, but they came up with 4 runs to claim their 10th division title in 11 years.
--That wasn't the end of the battle with the Angels though. Sickeye claimed the wild card berth and we met again in the first round of the playoffs. This time the Angels came out on top and the Knights season ended in disappointment.
--Juan Marichal, already the winningest pitcher in CKL history, edged past Camilio Pascaul to become the winningest pitcher in Knights history. Eddie Watt also slipped past Barney Schultz to become the Knights all time saves leader.

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--The Knights entering the season as a non-contender for the first time in team history. Only a last inning rally in the final game of the season held off the Angels for the division title last year and the Angels did take the team down in the playoffs. With Sockeye returning a much younger and cheaper core the prognosis did not look good for this season - particularly with the Gold Sox also looking strong and the Dust Bunnies perhaps ready to emerge as contenders.
--GM Smokey Braithwaight said "we felt like we needed to take a step back in order to build for our next serious run. We probably could have patched together a team with an outside shot this year, but with som many older and highly paid players both our flexibility and upside was pretty limited." The following purge did totally change the roster. Veteran pitcher Sonny Siebert and Juan Marichal, SS Leo Cardenas and LF Ken Henderson were non-tendered or bought out. 3B Sal Bando, 1B Deron Johnson and DH Mike Epstein were lost to free agency. RF Bobby Bonds, P Tug McGraw and C Manny Sanguillen were traded for picks or younger players. Only franchise player Willie Mays returns from the 1971 lineup - and at 40 he will face a serious reduction in playing time.
--This promises to be a difficult season for the Knights and their fans and the local press is speculating that the team is deliberately tanking the season in order to land a franchise player to lead the club when Mays finally hangs them up (much as former AGM Harry Dalton did with the Gamblers last season). There are a few bright spots. The team signed promising young slugger George "Boomer" Scott to a 5 year deal and hope he will hold down 1B and a middle of the order spot in the lineup for years to come. 1969 first round pick Toby Harrah takes over at SS. The team gave an opportunity to 1971 first rounders Billy North and Darrell Porter as well, but they need another year of seasoning.
--The 1972 draft also should play a big part in the next generation of Knights champions. Despite entering the offseason with no first round pick the club ended up with 3 of them. OF Johnny Grubb lacks of amazing physical tools of Bobby Bonds (who was traded for the pick that landed him), but he is a fundamentally sound player in bothe the field and at the plate. He should hit for higher BA than Bonds and is polished enough to be part of the team's 1973 plans. Pitchers Steve Busby and Doug Rau also were landed in the first round. Busby may have the best arm of any pitcher in the draft, but slid due to injury concerns. He should join Grubb on the Opening Day roster in 73. Rau is less overpowering, but has great command for a young LHP and is also expected to join the rotation within a couple of seasons. The KNights landed another solid arm in the second round in Ron Schuler. His upside is less, but he is more of a finished product and may make a contribution this year. He will definately be par tof the mix in 73, athough whether he will end up in the rotation or bullpen remains to be seen. Third rounder Vic Harris made this year's Opening day roster. The team isn't quite sure where he will end up either though. He is a terrific athlete, but may not hit enough for the outfield or field enough for the infield. One team scout described him as a new Cesar Tovar (the team's 1965 1st round pick). The Knights would be delighted if he panned out to be such a player, although his lasting til the 3rd round makes that appear to be his (extreme) upside rather than a likley projection.

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--It was a rebuilding season as expected - but turned out even worse than expected. Very little good news tp report, as not only did the Knights break their string of 100 win seasons and playoff appearance, but they lost well over 100 games. To add insult to injury their horrid season wasn't even good/bad enough to land them uber-prospect Geirge Brett in next year's rookie draft, as the Skipjacks fielded an even worse squad in their own rebuilding season.
--The pitching was the main culprit. No qualifying pitcher was under 5 in ERA and only one who made as much as a single appearance got under that mark. Fritz Peterson and Billy Champion both shattered the Knights single season loss record. Dave Roberts repeats as pitcher of the year, but it was mostly by default as he took a big step backwards after his first two excellent seasons.
--There were a few brighter spots on the offensive side. Free agent signee George Scott lived up to his contract. He led the team in almost everything to win player of the year honors and should have firstbase in good hands for the next four year. Rookie SS Toby Harrah had a promising season and is expected to develop into an All Star talent. Dick McAuliife continued to battle back from his knee surgery and had a solid season. Willie Mays was limited in less than half the team's games, but gave the fans something to cheer about when he was in the lineup.
--There was good news from the future coming from the farm system. Former first round picks Darrell Porter, Billy North, Johnny Grubb, Steve Busby all made the All Star team for AAA Kalamazoo and are expected to contibute at the big league level next season.

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--After the team's first ever losing season in 1972 this year's club has a completely new look. The only member of the rotation to return is Dave Roberts. Most of the lineup has also turned over. Firstbaseman George Scott, SS Toby Harrah and 3B Bob Bailey hold their jobs, although Bailey will be sharing time with rookie Ron Cey. After 12 years as the team's CFer and greatest star Willie Mays did not make the Opening Day roster and his role - probably a non-playing one - has yet to be determined. That leaves Dick McAuliffe as the sole remaining original Knight - and he moves from 2B ti DH this season.
--Most of the change involves the ongoing youth movement. Three rookies join the rotation - Steve Busby, Bill Bonham and this year's first round pick Steve Rogers. Two other rookies - Ron Schuler and Rich Folkers - also break camp as members of the staff. Two rookies will also be in the Opening Day lineup - catcher Darrell Porter and leftfielder Johnny Grubb.
--The big FA signing was 2B Joe Morgan, who becomes the highest paid player in franchise history. Also signed were RP Dave Guisti, C Dave Duncan and OFer Ken Henderson (back for a 2nd tour of duty with the team). Trades brought in CF Larry Hisle, OFer Bernie Carbo and 3B Ron Cey.
--While there are obviously some question marks about such and young and radically remodelled ballclub expectations are high in the Motor City. Manager Earl Weaver says he'll accept nothing less than a return to the top of the division.