The
NEVADA DUSTERS
The Story of a Major League Baseball Franchise
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Dusters @ Colt .45's
April 16-18, 1962
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Vegas Love Affair
Vegas fell in love with its new sports heroes, and it didn't hurt that, as one sportswriter noted, the Dusters were "the best-looking ballclub in the majors." Some players, took full advantage of the abundant nightlife, but all-in-all the team got through the inaugural season with only a whiff or two of scandal. It might have been a different story if marquee players like Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron were playing for the Dusters, but the management of the casinos and hotels along the Strip showed relatively little interest in the ballclub or its players. That suited Conn Hudson just fine, who often described Las Vegas as two cities -- one deserving of the "Sin City" image and the other an upstanding and fast-growing community of "good folks." It was with the latter that Hudson hoped to associate the ballclub. When the Vegas bookmakers offered odds against the Dusters -- as they often did in the early days -- Hudson turned it against them, saying that the "guys on the Strip don't want us to succeed because the Nevada Dusters stand for good, wholesome entertainment."
 Nevada Dusters: Player Stats (as of 4.17)
Jerry Adair (SS) - 55ab, 16h, 6r, 10rbi, 3hr, 5bb, 5k, 2sb, .291/.350/.473
Johnny Blanchard (C) - 29ab, 5h, 4r, 1 rbi, 0hr, 1 bb, 5k, 0sb, .172/.200/.172
Clete Boyer (3B) - 3ab, 1h, 0r, 1rbi, 0hr, 1bb, 0k, 1sb, .333/.500/.333
Doug Camilli (C) - 24ab, 5h, 2r, 2rbi, 0hr, 2bb, 5k, 0k, .208/.259/.250
Gordy Coleman (1B) - 12ab, 5h, 2r, 2rbi, 1hr, 0bb, 1k, 0sb, .417/.417/.750
Ken Hubbs (2B) - 50ab, 9h, 7r, 1rbi, 0h, 4bb, 8k, 1sb, .180/.236/..280
Mack Jones (CF) - 14ab, 0h, 0r, 0rbi, 0hr, 2bb, 4k, 0sb, .000/.125/.000
Hector Lopez (LF) - 34ab, 12h, 8r, 4rbi, 3hr, 6bb, 3k, 0sb, .353/.450/.735
Lee Maye (RF) - 41ab, 10h, 6r, 5rbi, 1hr, 2bb, 9k, 2sb, .244/.295/.439
Vic Power (1B) - 59ab, 19h, 9r, 7rbi, 0hr, 3bb, 4k, 0sb, .328/.371/.431
Johnny Schaive (3B) - 48ab, 14h, 7r, 4rbi, 1hr, 4bb, 7k, 0sb, .292/.346/..354
Hawk Taylor (LF) - 8ab, 1h, 1r, 1rbi, 0hr, 1bb, 2k, 0sb, .125/.222/.125
Tom Tresh (CF) - 46ab, 13h, 8r, 7rbi, 2hr, 6bb, 8k, 2sb, .283/.377/.478
Billy Williams (LF) - 47ab, 15h, 6r, 13rbi, 1hr, 3bb, 6k, 0sb, .319/..260/.468
Steve Barber lhp (SP) - 3gs, 1W, 2L, 3.68era, 22.0ip, 9r, 9er, 19h, 0hr, 10bb, 9k, .224baa
Jim Brewer lhp (RP) - 0gs, 0W, 1L, 2.70era, 10.0ip, 4r, 3er, 8h, 0hr, 3bb, 5k, .216baa
Tony Cloninger rhp (SP) - 4gs, 2W, 1L, 4.68era, 25.0ip, 17r, 13er, 20h, 1hr, 12bb, 14k, .204baa
Jim Constable lhp (RP) - 0gs, 0W, 0L, 6.00era, 3.0ip, 2r, 2er, 3h, 0hr, 2bb, 0k, .250baa
Bill Dailey rhp (RP) - 0gs, 0W, 1L, 4.91era, 3.2ip, 2r, 2er, 4h, 1hr, 1bb, 2k, .286baa
Bob Duliba rhp (RP) - 0gs, 0W, 0L, 3.86era, 2.1ip, 1r, 1er, 2h, 0hr, 2bb, 1k, .250baa
Joe Horlen rhp (SP) - 3gs, 1W, 1L, 2.70era, 23.1ip, 7r, 7er, 22h, 0hr, 3bb, 9k, .247baa
Bobby Locke rhp (RP) - 0gs, 0W, 0L, 9.00era, 1.0ip, 1r, 1er, 2h, 0hr, 0bb, 0k, .400baa
Dave McNally lhp (SP) - 2gs, 2W, 0L, 0.00era, 17.1ip, 1r, 0er, 4h, 0hr, 4bb, 7k, .069baa, 1cg
Claude Raymond rhp (RP) - 0gs, 1W, 0L, 7.71era, 4.2ip, 4r, 4er, 7h, 0hr, 4bb, 4k, .333baa, 4sv, 1bs
Bob Shaw rhp (SP) - 3gs, 1W, 1L, 5.79era, 18.2ip, 12r, 12er, 23h, 1hr, 6bb, 10k, .291baa
Nevada Dusters @ Houston Colt .45's
April 16-18, 1962
Colt Stadium, Houston, TX
DL: Clete Boyer (3B), 1 day, strained finger.
TRADE OFFERS:
Los Angeles Dodgers offer Dick Scott (RP) and Jim Barbieri (RF) for Johnny Blanchard (C). DECLINED.
Houston Colt .45's Game 1 starting lineup
Jim Busby (CF), Don Taussig (LF), Hal Smith (C), Dick Gernert (1B), Bob Aspromonte (3B), Don Buddin (SS), Walt Williams (RF), Joey Amalfitano (2B), Bob Bruce (P)
 [April 16, Game 1]
The Dusters returned to Houston and Colt Stadium for three more with the Colt '45's (5-7). Steve Barber (1-2) took on Bob Bruce (2-1) in Game 1. Doubles by Jerry Adair and Johnny Schaive in the 2nd and a Lee Maye single produced a pair of runs, but the Colt .45's cut the Nevada lead in half in the 4th and tied the game in the 6th, outfielder Don Taussig leading off the former frame with a double and the latter with a triple. Though Barber had allowed just two runs on five hits through the first six innings, Ben Naylor saw fit to summon Jim Brewer from the bullpen for the 7th, and Brewer struck out five Houston batters in the next three innings, snuffing out a couple of potential Colt .45's rallies. In the Nevada 8th Tom Tresh hit a two-out single and Adair drove him in with his second two-sacker of the day to give the Dusters the winning 3-2 edge. Both Adair and Schaive went 2-for-4, hiking their averages above .300. (Among the regulars, Vic Power, Hector Lopez and Billy Williams also had averages above .300).
Lineup: Power, Lopez, Williams, Tresh, Adair, Maye, Schaive, Blanchard, Barber
Record: 9-7
Dusters 3, Colt .45's 2
[April 17, Game 2]
Game 2 featured the long-awaited return of Clete Boyer, off the DL after two weeks, and back at the hot corner to go 3-for-5 on the day. Boyer wasn't the only Duster to have luck at the plate -- Johnny Blanchard went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, Tom Tresh 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Hector Lopez 3-for-6 with three runs scored and his fourth long ball of the season, and Johnny Schaive, who finished 2-for-4 and hit an inside-the-park homer in the 7th. Houston starter Ken Johnson was heading for the showers after five innings, but relievers Dave Giusti, Dean Stone and Bobby Shantz couldn't stop the Nevada onslaught either, as the Dusters collected thirteen hits. Houston second baseman Joey Amalfitano (3-for-4) was the only Colt .45 batter who troubled starter Joe Horlen, as Horlen pitched a complete game and improved his record to 2-1. The 8-1 victory gave the Dusters a four-game winning streak, and their 10-7 record moved them to within 1.5 games of NL-leaders Pittsburgh and San Francisco (both 10-4).
Lineup: Power, Lopez, Tresh, Adair, Maye, Schaive, Boyer, Blanchard, Horlen
Record: 10-7
Dusters 8, Colt .45's 1
[April 18, Game 3]
Dave McNally had pitched superbly in his first two starts, but this time he struggled, allowing five runs (four of them earned) on five hits in just three innings. Bobby Locke and Bob Duliba emerged from the bullpen to take up the slack -- and in the process laid to rest any doubts Ben Naylor might have had about them. Locke allowed just two hits in 4.2 innings of work, while Duliba shut the door on the Houston hitters in the 9th. Trailing 2-0 going into the 3rd, the Dusters unlimbered their bats and scored five runs, including three off a Johnny Schaive bomb into the left field bleachers. Houston tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd. In the 4th Naylor pinch hit Billy Williams for McNally; Williams doubled and scored on a Hector Lopez single. The Dusters had several opportunities to extend their lead -- two men in scoring position with one out in the 7th, and a man on third with one out in the 9th -- but couldn't get the job done. Fortunately, Locke and Duliba combined to shut down the Colt .45's, with the former getting his first win of the season and the latter his first save. Lopez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Schaive (2-for-5 with three RBIs) saw his average climb to .328. (Schaive's production at the plate was a pleasant surprise for Conn Hudson, who had acquired the player chiefly as a substitute infielder.) Nevada had won five in a row, and their first-ever sweep was in the books.
Lineup: Power, Lopez, Tresh, Adair, Schaive, Boyer, Taylor, Camilli, McNally
Record: 11-7
Dusters 6, Colt .45's 5
 Colt Stadium
Home of the Houston Colt .45's, 1962-64
Capacity (1962): 32,601
Dimensions: 360 ft. (left), 395 ft. (left center), 420 ft. (center), 395 ft. (right center), 360 ft. (right)
Nevada Dusters financial update:
Revenue: $3.9M ..... Profit: $685K ..... Cash: $5.3M ..... Team Payroll: $20.8M
Series stats:
2Bs: Schaive, Maye, Adair (2), Blanchard (2), Boyer, Williams
3Bs: none
HRs: Schaive (2), Lopez
SBs: Williams, Adair
Runs: Tresh, Adair (2), Maye (2), Lopez (3), Schaive (3), Boyer, Power, Camilli, McNally, Williams
RBIs: Adair, Maye (2), Schaive (5), Power, Lopez (4), Tresh (2), Blanchard
Around the leagues:
SFG signed free agent Dave Hillman (P) for $1,500,000/1yr.
PIT--Al McBean (P), finger stress fracture, two weeks.
CHC--John Upham (P), severe elbow tendonitis, two weeks.
STL--Bill White (1B), stretched knee ligament, five weeks.
Nevada Dusters at Houston Colt .45's
April 18, 1962
TOP OF THE FIRST
George Brunet takes the mound for the Colt .45's.
Vic Power grounded to short. <--->
Hector Lopez grounded to second. <--->
Tom Tresh popped up behind home plate. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Dave McNally takes the mound for the Dusters.
Jim Busby flied out to left field. <--->
Don Taussig grounded to short. <--->
Billy Goodman popped up foul down the third base line. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.
TOP OF THE SECOND
Jerry Adair grounded to the third baseman. <--->
Johnny Schaive flied out to left. <--->
Clete Boyer doubled into the left field corner. <-2->
Hawk Taylor popped up to second. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the second, the game is tied at 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Dick Gernert doubled down the left field line. <-2->
Hal Smith was hit by a pitch. <-21>
Don Buddin doubled to left-center, scoring a run. <32->
Walt Williams grounded to second, scoring a run. <3-->
Joey Amalfitano struck out. <3-->
George Brunet grounded to first base. <3-->
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, Houston leads 2 to 0.
TOP OF THE THIRD
Doug Camilli walked. <--1>
Dave McNally bunts for a base hit to first. <-21>
Vic Power singled through the right side. <321>
Hector Lopez singled down the third base line for two RBIs. <-21>
Tom Tresh lined out to first. <-21>
Jerry Adair grounded to the second baseman, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Johnny Schaive homered into the left field bleachers for three RBIs. <--->
Clete Boyer singled to center. <--1>
Hawk Taylor singled down the first base line, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Doug Camilli grounded to short. <3-1>
5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Nevada leads 5 to 2.
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Jim Busby lined out to left. <--->
Don Taussig reached first on a fielding error by the right fielder. <--1>
Billy Goodman singled up the middle. <-21>
Dick Gernert tripled over the center fielder for two RBIs. <3-->
Hal Smith singled in the left field gap, scoring a run. <--1>
Hal Smith went for an extra base and was thrown out at second. <--->
Don Buddin lined out to left. <--->
3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the third, the game is tied at 5.
TOP OF THE FOURTH
Billy Williams pinch hit for Dave McNally. <--->
Billy Williams doubled to left. <-2->
Vic Power grounded to short. <-2->
Hector Lopez singled to right, scoring a run. <--1>
Dean Stone came in to pitch for the Colt .45's. <--1>
Tom Tresh struck out. <--1>
Jerry Adair flied out to center field. <--1>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Nevada leads 6 to 5.
BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Bobby Locke came in to pitch for the Dusters. <--->
Walt Williams flied out to right. <--->
Joey Amalfitano flied out to left. <--->
Dean Stone popped up behind home plate. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Houston trails 6 to 5.
TOP OF THE FIFTH
Johnny Schaive singled to right-center. <--1>
Clete Boyer singled to left, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Hawk Taylor struck out. <3-1>
Doug Camilli grounded to the second baseman for a double play (4-6-1). <3-->
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Nevada leads 6 to 5.
BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Jim Busby grounded to second. <--->
Don Taussig struck out. <--->
Billy Goodman lined out to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Houston trails 6 to 5.
TOP OF THE SIXTH
Bobby Locke lined out to left. <--->
Vic Power grounded to short. <--->
Hector Lopez flied out to center. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Nevada leads 6 to 5.
BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Dick Gernert grounded to third. <--->
Hal Smith singled back through the middle. <--1>
Hal Smith stole second. <-2->
Don Buddin grounded to the shortstop. <-2->
Walt Williams lined out to right. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Houston trails 6 to 5.
TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Tom Tresh singled to center. <--1>
Jerry Adair singled through the right side, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Johnny Schaive grounded to first. <32->
Clete Boyer struck out. <32->
Gordy Coleman pinch hit for Hawk Taylor. <32->
Gordy Coleman popped up to second. <32->
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Nevada leads 6 to 5.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Johnny Blanchard came in to play Catcher. <--->
Lee Maye came in to play Right Field. <--->
Joey Amalfitano singled down the third base line. <--1>
Dean Stone bunts for a base hit to third. <-21>
Jim Busby popped up back to the pitcher. <-21>
Don Taussig popped up to the pitcher. <-21>
Billy Goodman grounded to short. <-21>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Houston trails 6 to 5.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Johnny Blanchard doubled to right-center. <-2->
Bobby Locke laid down a sacrifice bunt to first. <3-->
Vic Power popped up to short. <3-->
Hector Lopez walked. <3-1>
Tom Tresh struck out. <3-1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Nevada leads 6 to 5.
BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Dick Gernert dribbled weakly to the catcher. <--->
Hal Smith walked. <--1>
Don Buddin walked. <-21>
Walt Williams struck out. <-21>
Bob Duliba came in to pitch for the Dusters. <-21>
Joey Amalfitano flied out to left field. <-21>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, Houston trails 6 to 5.
TOP OF THE NINTH
Bobby Tiefenauer came in to pitch for the Colt .45's. <--->
Jerry Adair singled back through the middle. <--1>
Johnny Schaive struck out. <--1>
Jerry Adair stole second. <-2->
Clete Boyer grounded to the shortstop. <3-->
Lee Maye lined out to center. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, Nevada leads 6 to 5.
BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Norm Larker pinch hit for Bobby Tiefenauer. <--->
Norm Larker grounded to second. <--->
Jim Busby singled to left field. <--1>
Jim Busby stole second. <-2->
Jim Busby was caught stealing third. <--->
Don Taussig popped up to short. <--->
DUSTERS WIN: 6-5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Dusters (NEV) 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 15 1
Colt .45's (HOU) 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 9 0
NEVADA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
V. Power (1B) 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .315
H. Lopez (LF) 4 2 1 0 0 3 0 0 .347
T. Tresh (CF) 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 .293
J. Adair (SS) 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 .299
J. Schaive (2B) 5 2 0 1 1 3 1 0 .328
C. Boyer (3B) 5 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .538
H. Taylor (RF) 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .182
G. Coleman (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .429
L. Maye (RF) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .220
D. Camilli (C) 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 .192
J. Blanchard (C) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .216
D. McNally (P) 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .286
B. Williams (PH) 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .327
B. Locke (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B. Duliba (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 40 15 2 6 1 6 5 1
2B: J. Blanchard (2), C. Boyer (1), B. Williams (5)
HR: J. Schaive (3)
NEVADA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
D. McNally 3.0 5 0 0 5 4 1 52 1.77
B. Locke 4.2 3 2 0 0 0 2 67 1.59
B. Duliba 1.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 17 2.45
TOTALS 9.0 9 2 0 5 4 3 136
HOUSTON ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
J. Busby (CF) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .237
D. Taussig (LF) 5 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 .190
B. Goodman (3B) 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .333
D. Gernert (1B) 4 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 .226
H. Smith (C) 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 .300
D. Buddin (SS) 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 .244
W. Williams (RF) 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 .180
J. Amalfitano (2B) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239
G. Brunet (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
D. Stone (P) 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
B. Tiefenauer (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
N. Larker (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143
TOTALS 35 9 2 5 0 5 3 2
2B: D. Buddin (1), D. Gernert (2)
3B: D. Gernert (1)
HOUSTON ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
G. Brunet 3.1 9 1 1 6 6 0 69 5.63
D. Stone 4.2 5 1 0 0 0 4 71 1.74
B. Tiefenauer 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 15 9.82
TOTALS 9.0 15 2 1 6 6 5 155
WP: B. Locke (1-0)
LP: G. Brunet (1-2)
SV: B. Duliba (1)
Attendance: 31,026
Time: 2:47
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