The Long Road to the Top : The Milwaukee Brewers (1970 - )

[TruthBeacon]

SETTING - The franchise enters Spring Training still in limbo as the Seattle Pilots, and it is not until the end of Spring Training that the team finally gets the go ahead to sell to an ownership group headed by Aaron Kramer, and move to Milwaukee. The Brewers are not expected to be a competitive team at this point, but there is hope....and a plan
1970 MILWAUKEE BREWERS PRELIMINARY BUDGET
INCOME
Ticket Prices - $13.00 (League Average - $14.82)
Hot Dogs - $2.00 (38 % below league average)
Beer - $3.00 (37 % below league average)
Ice Cream - $1.50 (40 % below league average)
Broadcasting - Normal Broadcast
PROJECTED REVENUE - $19,605,888
EXPENSES
Farm System - $4 million (1st)
Scouting System - $3 million (3rd)
Medical - $1 million (11th)
Salaries - $21,389,994 (22nd)
PROJECTED EXPENSES - $29,398,994
PROJECTED NET - (-$8,614,314)

TRANSACTIONS
April 1 - MILWAUKEE traded C Jerry McNertney and 3B Rich Rollins to DETROIT for C Jim Price. PAYROLL - $19,139,976
April 1- Traded P Bob Locker to CLEVELAND for SP SP Bruce Ellingsen. PAYROLL - $16,139,898
April 1- Traded 2B Tommy Harper and P John O'Donoghue to NEW YORK METS for C Ike Hampton. PAYROLL - $11,759,904
April 1 - Released P Ray Peters, P Bob Meyer, P RP George Lauzerique, P Bruce Brubaker, P P Gary Ryerson, LF Sandy Valdespino ($200,000). PAYROLL - $11,359,926
April 1 - Signed SP Phil Levin to a 3-year, $350,000 contract. PAYROLL - $11,709,898.
CONTRACT EXTENSIONS
RP Dave Baldwin - 3 years, $750,000 (Team Option for $800,000 in 1973) - PAYROLL - $11,959,974

1970 MILWAUKEE BREWERS FINAL BUDGET
INCOME
Ticket Prices - $13.00 (League Average - $14.82)
Hot Dogs - $2.00 (38 % below league average)
Beer - $3.00 (37 % below league average)
Ice Cream - $1.50 (40 % below league average)
Broadcasting - Normal Broadcast
PROJECTED REVENUE - $19,605,888
EXPENSES
Farm System - $4 million (1st)
Scouting System - $3 million (3rd)
Medical - $1 million (11th)
Salaries - $11,959,974 (23rd)
PROJECTED EXPENSES - $18,601,893
PROJECTED NET - (-$388,289)

Up Next - Meet Your 1970 Milwaukee Brewers

[TruthBeacon]

LINEUP
CF Wayne Comer (26) - Overall - 74 - Peak - 74 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)
LF Mike Hershberger (30) - Overall - 73 - Peak - 73 - Contract - $750,000 (1973)
3B Max Alvis (32) - Overall - 74 - Peak - 74 - Contract - $980,000 (1973)
1B Greg Goosen (24) - Overall - 80 - Peak - 87 - Contract - $860,000 (1970)
C Jim Price (28) - Overall - 75 - Peak - 75 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)
RF Mike Hegan (27) - Overall - 75 - Peak - 75 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)
2B Bob Sheldon (19) - Overall - 63 - Peak - 87 - Contract - $316,000 (1973)
SS Ted Kubiak (27) - Overall - 76 - Peak - 76 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)
BENCH
RF Bernie Smith (28) - Overall - 71 - Peak - 71 - Contract - $316,000 (1973)
CF Floyd Wicker (26) - Overall - 73 - Peak - 73 - Contract - $316,000 (1973)
LF Russ Snyder (35) - Overall - 66 - Peak - 66 - Contract - $690,000 (1972)
3B Gus Gil (30) - Overall - 68 - Peak - 78 - Contract - $316,000 (1972)
C Phil Roof (29) - Overall - 69 - Peak - 69 - Contract - $680,000 (1970)
LF Ted Savage (34) - Overall - 68 - Peak - 68 - Contract - $360,000 (1970)

MINORS
AAA
LF Danny Walton (64-76, $26,000 - 1973)
RF Steve Hovley (66-75, $26,000 - 1972)
SS John Kennedy (66-66, $520,000 - 1974)
SS Fred Stanley (58-84, $26,000 - 1973)
AA
C Pete Koegel (68-74, $18,000 - 1973)
RF Al Yates (65-77, $18,000 - 1973)
CF Gorman Thomas (73-92, $18,000 - 1973)
LF Wilbur Howard (64-65, $18,000 - 1973)
A
2B Ron Theobald (53-65, $13,000 - 1973)
SS Jack Lind (61-76, $13,000 - 1973)
C Ike Hampton (60-86, $13,000 - 1973)
1B Bob Hansen (68-77, $13,000 - 1973)
R
RF Rob Ellis (71-99, $10,000 - 1973)
RF Rob Coluccio (63-96, $10,000 - 1973)
SS Tim Johnson (55-80, $10,000 - 1973)
2B Pedro Garcia (61-84, $10,000 - 1973)
SS Rick Auerbach (52-65, $10,000 - 1973)

STARTING ROTATION
Bobby Bolin (31) - Overall - 79 - Peak - 79 - Contract - $2.4 million (1970)
Gene Brabender (28) - Overall - 77 - Peak - 77 - Contract - $2.35 million (1970)
Phil Levin (34) - Overall - 75 - Peak - 75 - Contract - $350,000 (1972)
Marty Pattin (26) - Overall - 76 - Peak - 77 - Contract - $316,000 (1972)
Lew Krausse (26) - Overall - 74 - Peak - 74 - Contract - $1.15 million (1972)
BULLPEN
Dave Baldwin (28) - Overall - 80 - Peak - 80 - Contract - $750,000 (1972)
Ken Sanders (28) - Overall - 77 - Peak - 77 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)
John Morris (28) - Overall - 75 - Peak - 75 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)
Skip Lockwood (23) - Overall - 75 - Peak - 77 - Contract - $316,000 (1972)
Wayne Twitchell (22) - Overall - 74 - Peak - 77 - Contract - $316,000 (1973)
John Gelnar (26) - Overall - 69 - Peak - 75 - Contract - $316,000 (1971)

MINORS
AAA
SP Bill Parsons (19) - O-69 - P- 81 - Contract - $26,000 (1973)
AA
RP Jim Slaton (19) - O-63 P-87 Contract - $18,000 (1973)
A
SP Jerry Bell (22) - O-73 P-91 - Contract - $13,000 (1973)
R
SP Lafayette Currence (18) - O-42 P-88 - Contract - $10,000 (1973)
RP Carlos Vasquez (22) - O-64 P-65 - Contract - $10,000 (1973)
SP Bruce Ellingsen (20) - O-46 P-96 - Contract - $10,000 (1973)

TOP PROSPECTS
SP Bruce Ellingsen (Rookie)
SP Lafayette Currance (Rookie)
RF Bob Coluccio (Rookie)
LF Dan Thomas (Newark - R)
C Ike Hampton (A)

UP NEXT - Previewing the 1970 American League

[TruthBeacon]

EASTERN DIVISION
BALTIMORE (Record last three years - 276-209) - The Birds will try to shake off the stigma of losing the World Series to the Mets, and are expecting big things from 1B Boog Powell, RF Frank Robinson, 2B Davey Johnson and 3B Brooks Robinson in the middle of their lineup. Jim Palmer, Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar anchor the best pitching staff in the American League.
TOP PROSPECTS - 3B Doug DeCinces (19), LF Royle Stillman (19), RF Jim Fuller (19), P Mike Flanagan (18), C Dave Criscione (18)
PROJECTED RECORD - 94-68
NEW YORK (Record last three years - 235-250) - The glory days are now a faded memory in the Bronx, where RF Bobby Murcer and P Mel Stottlemyre are being asked to return to pinstripes to the top. Stottlmyre, who won 20 games last year, is an early favorite for the AL Cy Young Award.
TOP PROSPECTS - LF Daryl Jones (19), RF Charlie Spikes (19), C Jim Deidel (20), 2B George Zeber (19), LF Otto Velez (19)
PROJECTED RECORD - 89-73
BOSTON (Record last three years - 265-221) - Despite Tony Congiliaro's courageous comeback, the BoSox finished third in 1969. Everyone knows what Conigliaro, Petrocelli, Yaz and Reggie Smith can do. The question is whether rookie 1B Cecil Cooper can come through after batting .333 in the minors last year. Gary Peters and Ray Culp will have to carry a pitching staff that is relying on such question marks as Jose Santiago and Sonny Siebert to replace Jim Lonborg and Vicente Romo who were sent to the bullpen
TOP PROSPECTS - C Andy Merchant (19), 3B Butch Hobson (18), 1B Jack Baker (19), 1B Cecil Cooper (20), SS Mario Guerrero (20)
PROJECTED RECORD - 87-75
WASHINGTON (Record last three years - 227-257) - 1B Mike Epstein and LF Frank Howard powered the Senators to their first winning season since rejoining the league in 1961. They will now rely on rookie RF Jeff Burroughs to move them to the next step. Unfortunately, the starting rotation is nothing worth a playoff run, led by Bobby Bolin (7-7, 4.43 with Seattle in 1969) and George Brunet (8-12, 4.44). Bob Locker was picked up from Milwaukee to serve as the closer. Team officials will also be trying to balance their budget which has gotten out of whack as the team improved. The team is looking at a $25 million projected loss at this point.
TOP PROSPECTS - 1B Doug Ault (20), C Jim Sundberg (18), 3B Bill Madlock (19), SS Ken Pape (18), CF Mike Hart (18).
PROJECTED RECORD - 75-87
CLEVELAND (Record last three years - 224-261) - The Indians fell so far in 1969 that they had a worse record than both expansion teams. Other than RF Ken Harrelson's power and 1B Tony Horton's ability to drive in runs, the Indian offense would be placed in moth balls. P Sam McDowell has been an All-Star four of the past five years, and Cleveland is hoping P Dean Chance can pitch like he did when he won 20 games in 1967 and 1964.
TOP PROSPECTS - 2B Dave Oliver (18), 1B Orlando Gonzalez (18), 3B Buddy Bell (18), 1B Wayne Cage (18), C Larry Johnson (18)
PROJECTED RECORD - 75-87
DETROIT (Record last three years - 284-202) - The Tigers suddenly got old in 1969, as Al Kaline and Norm Cash showed signs of slowing up. P Denny McLain may have won the past two Cy Youngs, but he appears poised to fall far short of his previous stellar campaigns. It is time for Detroit to rebuild before they slide to the basement.
TOP PROSPECTS - RF Bobby Molinaro (19), LF D-i-c-k Sharon (19), CF Ron LeFlore (21), 1B Ron Cash (20), P Vern Ruhle (19)
PROJECTED RECORD - 75-87

WESTERN DIVISION
OAKLAND (Record last three years - 232-253) - The Athletics appear poised to finally climb the summit to the top, after years of wandering through the wilderness in Philadelphia and Kansas City. 3B Sal Bando, CF Rick Monday, RF Reggie Jackson and SS Bert Campaneris are the catalysts to the most powerful offense in the league, and the pitching staff has caught up. Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter and Bue Moon Odom anchor the rotation, while Rollie Fingers can slam the door on any ninth-inning rally. The question is whether Oakland can win before they cannot afford this studded lineup.
TOP PROSPECTS - 2B Manny Trillo (19), LF Mitchell Page (18), RF George Hendrick (20), Herb Washington (18), SS Tommy Sandt (19)
PROJECTED RECORD - 94-68
MINNESOTA (Record the past three years - 267-219) - Minnesota has found it that it costs money to keep on top, and they now face a $40 million loss with an aging lineup. 2B Rod Carew will be looked upon to bring the Twins back, while RF Tony Oliva and 3B Harmon Killebrew hope for one more shot at glory. On the mound, super rookie P Bert Blyleven will be the number one starter, supplanting Jim Perry, who has been moved to the bullpen despite winning 20 games last year.
TOP PROSPECTS - LF Steve Braun (21), SS Bucky Guth (22), CF Lyman Bostock (19), LF Mike Adams (21), LF Willie Norwood (19)
PROJECTED RECORD - 83-79
KANSAS CITY (Record in 1969 - 69-93) - The Royals made some great moves as an expansion team last year, with LF Lou Piniella and RF Ed Kirkpatrick providing the spark. CF Amos Otis hopes to make the Royals outfield the most promising in the league. All four Royals starters back from 1969 had ERAs under four last year (Roger Nelson, Wally Bunker, Jim Rooker, D-i-c-k Drago), while Kansas City is high on rookie P Paul Splittorf.
TOP PROSPECTS - LF Tom Poquette (18), 2B Frank White (19), LF Jim Wohlford (19), LF Keith Marshall (18), 1B Frank Ortenzio (18)
PROJECTED RECORD - 83-79
CALIFORNIA (Record last three years - 222-263) - On a team where the leading home run hitter connected for 17 last year (LF Alex Johnson) and then moved that bat to the bench, one would look to the pitching for hope. Andy Messersmith, Rudy May, Tom Murphy and Tom Bradley provide some hope, but nothing to lead one believe this team will contend.
TOP PROSPECTS - 2B Dave Machemer (18), RF Carlos Lopez (19), SS Rudy Meoli (18), 1B Doug Howard (22), 1B John Doherty (18)
PROJECTED RECORD - 80-82
CHICAGO (Record last three years - 224-262) - Chicago's time to contend has past, and the team nearly moved to Milwaukee in the off-season before John Allyn came in to save the Sox. Other than 3B Bill Melton and LF Carlos May, there is not much value in the Chicago offense. Tommy John and Joel Horlen are the only real studs in the pitching rotation, while Wilbur Wood is one of the best closers in the league with little opportunities to close. As for the minors, the White Sox will find little hope.
TOP PROSPECTS - LF Ken Hottman (21), P Chico Escarrega (20), CF Jose Ortiz (22), LF Brian Downing (19), CF Bill Sharp (20).
PROJECTED RECORD - 75-87
MILWAUKEE (Record in 1969 - 64-98) - The Milwaukee fans will find they did not get much in the way of talent as the Pilots come to town. There is very little in talent on offense, and Bob Bolin, Gene Brabender and Lew Krausse will provide the only real arms in the rotation. The farm system is weak, but the Brewers have a plan to build through the draft and building up their cash reserves.
PROJECTED RECORD - 62-100

1970 AL MVP Reggie Jackson (OAK)
1970 AL Cy Young Catfish Hunter (OAK)
1970 AL Rookie of the Year SP Steve Kline (NY)/SP Vida Blue (OAK)
1970 AL Championship Oakland over Baltimore

[TruthBeacon]

EASTERN DIVISION
NEW YORK - PROJECTED RECORD - 92-70
PITTSBURGH - PROJECTED RECORD - 85-77
ST. LOUIS - PROJECTED RECORD - 83-79
CHICAGO - PROJECTED RECORD - 82-80
PHILADELPHIA - PROJECTED RECORD - 77-85
MONTREAL - PROJECTED RECORD - 63-99
WESTERN
HOUSTON - PROJECTED RECORD - 93-69
LOS ANGELES - PROJECTED RECORD - 87-75
CINCINNATI - PROJECTED RECORD - 86-76
SAN FRANCISCO - PROJECTED RECORD - 82-80
ATLANTA - PROJECTED RECORD - 79-83
SAN DIEGO - PROJECTED RECORD - 62-100

1970 NL MVP Willie Stargell (PIT)
1970 NL Cy Young Tom Seaver (NY)
1970 NL Rookie of the Year 3B Darrell Evans (SF)/RF Joe Hague (SL)
1970 NL Championship Houston over New York Mets
1970 World Series Oakland over Houston

[TruthBeacon]

1-at Boston (0-0) - Lost 8-3 (0-1, T-3rd, - 1.0) WP - Culp (1-0) LP - Sanders (0-1)
2-at Boston (1-0) - Won 6-0 (1-1, T-2nd, - 1.0) WP - Brabender (1-0) LP - Peter (0-1)
3-at Boston (1-1) - Lost 4-3 (1-2, T-3rd, -2.0) WP - Santiago (1-0) LP - Sanders (0-2)
4-DETROIT (1-2) - Won 9-2 (2-2, T-3rd, - 1.0) WP - Pattin (1-0) LP - Cain (0-1) ATT - 17,710 (17,710)
5-DETROIT (1-3) - Lost 6-5 (12) (2-3, T-4th, - 2.0) WP - Timmerman (1-0) LP - Twitchell (0-1) ATT - 18,041 (35,751)
6-DETROIT (2-3) - Won 5-4 (10) (3-3, 4th, - 2.0) WP - Sanders (1-2) LP - Hiller (0-2) ATT - 17,774 (53,525)
7-NEW YORK (2-4) - Lost 7-4 (3-4, T-4th, -3.0) WP - Kline (1-1) LP - Brabender (1-1) SV - McDaniel (1) ATT - 17,758 (71,283)
8-NEW YORK (3-4) - Won 5-2 (4-4, 4th, - 3.0) WP - Levin (1-0) LP - Stottlemyre (1-1) SV - Baldwin (1) ATT - 17,478 (88,761)
9-NEW YORK (3-5) - Lost 7-3 (4-5, T-4th, - 4.0) WP - Peterson (1-0) LP - Pattin (1-1) SV - Hamilton (3) ATT - 17,765 (106,526)
10-BOSTON (5-4) - Lost 9-2 (4-6, T-4th, - 5.0) WP - Lonborg (1-1) LP - Twitchell (0-1) ATT - 17,766 (124,292)
11-BOSTON (6-4) - Lost 9-7 (4-7, T-5th, - 5.0) WP - Stange (1-0) LP - Baldwin (0-1) SV - Lyle (1) ATT - 17,611 (141,903)
12-BOSTON (7-4) - Lost 14-5 (4-8, 6th, - 5.0) WP - Culp (3-0) LP - Baldwin (0-2) ATT - 17,358 (159,261)
13-at New York (5-7) - Won 5-3 (5-8, 5th, - 4.0) WP - Levin (2-0) LP - Aker (0-2) SV - Baldwin (2)
14-at New York (5-8) - Lost 5-3 (5-9. 5th, - 4.0) WP - Hamilton (1-1) LP - Pattin (1-2) SV - Klimkowski (1)
15-at New York (6-8) - Won 3-0 (6-9, T-4th, - 3.0) WP - Lockwood (1-0) LP - Kline (1-1)
16-CLEVELAND (9-6) - Lost 1-0 (6-10, 5th, - 4.0) WP - Ellsworth (1-0) LP - Bolin (0-1) SV - Locker (3) ATT - 18,094 (177,355)
17-CLEVELAND (10-6) - Lost 5-4 (6-11, 5th - 5.0) WP - Chance (4-1) LP - Brabender (1-2) SV - Locker (4) ATT - 17,809 (195,164)
18-CLEVELAND (11-6) - Lost 9-1 (6-12, 5th, - 5.0) WP - McDowell (1-2) LP - Levin (2-1) ATT - 17,680 (212, 844)
19-WASHINGTON (9-6) - Lost 5-4 (6-13, 6th, - 5.5) WP - Pina (1-0) LP - Pattin (1-3) SV - Knowles (3) ATT - 16,997 (229,841)
20-WASHINGTON (10-6) - Lost 11-3 (6-14, 6th, - 5.5) WP - Brunet (2-2) LP - Twitchell (0-3) ATT - 16,800 (246,641)
21-WASHINGTON (11-6) - Lost 8-0 (6-15, 6th, - 6.0) WP - Bosman (1-1) LP - Brabender (1-3) ATT - 16,612 (263,253)
24-at New York (9-12) - Won 10-1 (7-15, 6th, - 6.0) WP - Bolin (1-1) LP - Aker (0-3)
25-at New York (9-13) - Lost 12-4 (7-16, 6th, - 6.0) WP - McDaniel (1-0) LP - Brabender (1-4)
26-at New York (10-13) - Won 4-1 (8-16, 6th, - 6.0) WP - Levin (3-1) LP - Peterson (3-1) SV - Baldwin (3)
NOTE - CF Wayne Comer (.303-1-4, 5 SB) is out for the season with a broken wrist. CF Gorman Thomas has been called up from AA.
28-at Baltimore (15-9) - Lost 9-2 (8-17, 6th, - 6.0) WP - Palmer (2-3) LP - Pattin (1-4)
29-at Baltimore (16-9) - Lost 9-1 (8-18, 6th, - 6.5 ) WP - McNally (2-0) LP - Krausse (0-1)
30-at Baltimore (17-9) - Won 7-5 (9-18, T-5th, - 5.5 ) WP - Bolin (2-1) LP - Phoebus (3-2) SV - Baldwin (4)
NOTE : OF Floyd Wicker broke his leg and will be out until mid-June. SS John Kennedy was recalled from AAA.
MONTH IN REVIEW
Record - 9-18, T-5th place, 5.5 Games Back
Attendance - 263,253 (17,550 average)
Net Profit - $2.7 million (Cash - $3.7 million)
Batting Average - .249 (AL Average - .263)
ERA - 5.19 (AL Average - 4.08)
Player of the Month - 1B Greg Goosen (.270-3-13)
Pitcher of the Month - Phil Levin (3-1, 4.19)

[TruthBeacon]

1-at Boston (0-0) - Lost 8-3 (0-1, T-3rd, - 1.0) WP - Culp (1-0) LP - Sanders (0-1)
1-at Washington (16-11) - Won 8-3 (10-18, T-5th, - 5.0) WP - Brabender (2-4) LP - Bosman (1-3)
2-at Washington (16-12) - Lost 7-1 (10-19, 5th, - 5.0) WP - Carlos (1-0) LP - Levin (3-2)
3-at Washington (17-12) - Won 1-0 (11-19, 6th, - 5.0) WP - Sanders (2-2) LP - Humphreys (1-2)
4-at Cleveland (17-13) - Lost 4-1 (11-20, 6th, - 6.0) WP - Ellsworth (3-1) LP - Twitchell (0-4)
5-at Cleveland (18-13) - Lost 4-1 (11-21, 6th, - 6.0) WP - Chance (6-2) LP - Bolin (2-2) SV - Locker (8)
6-at Cleveland (19-13) - Lost 11-6 (11-22, 6th, - 7.0) WP - McDowell (3-3) LP - Brabender (2-5)
7-BALTIMORE (20-10) - Lost 10-0 (11-23, 6th, - 8.0) WP - Cuellar (4-0) LP - Levin (3-3) ATT - 17,425 (280,678)
8-BALTIMORE (21-10) -
9-BALTIMORE
10-at California
11-at California
12-at California
13-at Chicago
14-at Chicago
15-at Chicago
16-at Minnesota
17-at Minnesota
18-at Minnesota
19-at Chicago
20-at Chicago
21-at Chicago
22-CLEVELAND
23-CLEVELAND
24-CLEVELAND
25-at California
26-at California
27-at California
28-at Boston
29-at Boston
30-at Boston
31-NEW YORK
MONTH IN REVIEW
Record - 9-18, T-5th place, 5.5 Games Back
Attendance - 263,253 (17,550 average)
Net Profit - $2.7 million (Cash - $3.7 million)
Batting Average - .249 (AL Average - .263)
ERA - 5.19 (AL Average - 4.08)
Player of the Month - 1B Greg Goosen (.270-3-13)
Pitcher of the Month - Phil Levin (3-1, 4.19)