The
NEVADA DUSTERS
The Story of a Major League Baseball Franchise
|
|
Mets @ Dusters
April 19-21, 1962
|
|
According to the Experts
"So now Conn Hudson has his team. He bought the financially-strapped Braves, traded off most of the talent, and cut the payroll in half. Nothing wrong with that. Hudson's problem is with Las Vegas. Will it support a major league franchise? I don't think it will, at least not so Hudson can build a pennant winner. History has shown that you need a bigger market. It would be a miracle if a pennant winner blossomed in the Nevada desert....
--Joe Wendell, Sporting News
"Hudson took a club that had ten straight winning seasons and traded it away. The Dusters are a decent team, but the Braves were better. And the most astonishing part of it all was giving up Hank Aaron. Aaron reportedly didn't want to move to Nevada, and Hudson didn't want to make him. That was decent of Mr. Hudson, but this is baseball, and the idea here is to win. The Dusters would have won a lot more games with Aaron than they will without him....
--Cy Machlie, Sports Illustrated
 1962 Sporting News Record Book with
Warren Spahn (formerly of the now-defunct
Milwaukee Braves) on the cover.
New York Mets @ Nevada Dusters
April 19-21, 1962
Horizon Field, Las Vegas, NV
DL: none
TRADE OFFERS
none
New York Mets Game 1 starting lineup
John DeMerit (RF), Felix Mantilla (SS), Richie Ashburn (CF), Gus Bell (LF), Ed Bouchee (1B), Don Zimmer (2B), Hobie Landrith (C), Ted Schreiber (3B), Jay Hook (P)
 [April 19, Game 1]
The five-game win streak came to an end for the Dusters as they played host to Casey Stengel and the New York Mets, an expansion team that brought a 7-8 record to Horizon Field. Starter Tony Cloninger (2-1) got off to a rocky start, and the Mets took an early 1-0 lead. Nevada had a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings, and each time came away empty-handed. Finally, in the 5th, Cloninger took matters into his own hands. He singled to open the inning, went to third on a Gordy Coleman hit, and scored when Jerry Adair knocked one up the middle. New York took the lead right back in the 6th as Cloninger walked catcher Hobie Landrith, who legged it all the way home on a Ted Schreiber double down the right field line. The Dusters tied the game in the 9th, but in the 10th Felix Mantilla singled, got to third on a Gus Bell hit, and scored the winning run when Johnny Blanchard mishandled a bunt by Frank Thomas. The Dusters went quietly in the bottom of the 10th and lost by a score of 3-2. Gordy Coleman, getting a start at first to rest Vic Power, went 3-for-5 at the top of the lineup. "It was frustrating," acknowledged Ben Naylor. "We got eleven hits and had plenty of scoring opportunities."
Lineup: Coleman, Williams, Tresh, Adair, Maye, Schaive, Boyer, Blanchard, Cloninger
Record: 11-8
Mets 3, Dusters 2
[April 20, Game 2]
Steve Barber (1-2) faced Al Jackson in the second game of the series, and Ben Naylor went so far as to say the Dusters needed a good outing from their young southpaw, as he feared the hitters would not fare well against Jackson. Barber was sharp at times -- he struck out five in his 4.2 innings of work -- but he was inconsistent with his control. Trailing 2-0 going into the 5th, Barber walked a Met to open the frame, then walked Gil Hodges to load the bases with two outs. Next up was Frank Thomas, who drew a walk, scoring a run, followed by Charlie Neal, who hammered a two-run single to left. That was all for Barber. As "Nails" Naylor had predicted, the Nevada hitters struggled against Jackson, and got their first run in the 7th. Two more were added in the 8th, thanks in part to a Mets error. But in the 9th, with Bob Duliba on the mound, the Mets collected two more runs. The Dusters juiced the bases in the bottom of the 9th but managed just one run, and the Mets won, 8-4. Nevada had eleven hits on the night -- all of them singles. New York's right fielder, John DeMerit, had a 4-for-5, two-run day. Barber's record went to 1-3.
Lineup: Power, Lopez, Tresh, Adair, Schaive, Boyer, Taylor, Blanchard, Barber
Record: 11-9
Mets 8, Dusters 4
[April 21, Game 3]
Game 3 started out badly for Nevada, as the New York Mets stung starter Bob Shaw for five runs on seven hits in the first two frames, including a three-run dinger by Felix Mantilla, and looked to be on their way to a sweep. But the Dusters came roaring back in the 4th. Billy Williams opened with a walk and scored when Tom Tresh knocked a double into the right field gap. Johnny Schaive hit his way on before Clete Boyer belted a towering three-run homer to right. Johnny Blanchard followed with his own solo blast, and the game was tied at 5. The fireworks weren't over. Gil Hodges hit a solo homer in the 6th and Gordy Coleman hit his own downtowner in the 7th to tie the game again. In the 8th Blanchard hit a two-run blast to left-center to make it 8-6 Dusters. But closer Claude Raymond was victimized in the New York 9th as the Mets scored four times on five hits and regained the lead, 10-8. Casey Stengel sent Clem Labine to the hill in the Nevada 9th, but the Mets threw away their chances for a sweep as an error by shortstop Mantilla loaded the bases; Labine hit Schaive to add a run to the Nevada total, and then Clete Boyer hit a scorcher up the middle for two RBIs and the win. The slugfest was a pitcher's nightmare as the Mets collected seventeen hits, the Dusters thirteen. Shaw lasted only three innings, Mets starter Jay Hook five. Raymond, who allowed four runs in his one inning of work, got the win. The four home runs was a single-game record for the Dusters in their brief history.
Lineup: Coleman, Lopez, Williams, Tresh, Adair, Schaive, Boyer, Blanchard, Shaw
Record: 12-9
Dusters 11, Mets 10
 Casey Stengel (NYM)
Nevada Dusters financial update:
Revenue: $5.0M ..... Profit: $1.2M ..... Cash: $5.8M ..... Team Payroll: $20.8M
Series stats:
2Bs: Schaive, Tresh
3Bs: Williams
HRs: Blanchard (2), Boyer, Coleman
SBs: none
Runs: Blanchard (4), Cloninger, Lopez (2), Tresh (2), Schaive (2), Coleman, Power, Williams, Adair (2), Boyer
RBIs: Williams, Adair (2), Tresh, Boyer (6), Coleman, Tresh, Schaive, Blanchard (3)
Around the leagues:
MIN signed free agent Bubba Phillips (3B) for $2,300,000/1 yr.
MIN--Jim Lemon (LF), broken ankle, three months.
MIN--Rich Rollins (2B), stretched ankle ligament, two weeks.
SFG--Billy Pierce (P), severe elbow tendonitis, two weeks.
New York Mets at Nevada Dusters
April 19, 1962
TOP OF THE FIRST
Tony Cloninger takes the mound for the Dusters.
John DeMerit popped up to short. <--->
Felix Mantilla singled to center field. <--1>
Felix Mantilla stole second. <-2->
Richie Ashburn popped up to the second baseman. <-2->
Gus Bell flied out to center. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Jay Hook takes the mound for the Mets.
Gordy Coleman singled in the right field gap. <--1>
Billy Williams grounded to the pitcher, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Tom Tresh flied out to center. <--1>
Jerry Adair walked. <-21>
Lee Maye flied out to center. <-21>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.
TOP OF THE SECOND
Ed Bouchee walked. <--1>
Don Zimmer singled in the right field gap, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Hobie Landrith singled through the left side, scoring a run. <-21>
Ted Schreiber flied out to left. <-21>
Jay Hook laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher. <32->
John DeMerit flied out to right. <32->
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the second, New York leads 1 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Johnny Schaive singled over the first baseman. <--1>
Clete Boyer grounded to second. <-2->
Johnny Blanchard grounded to first. <3-->
Tony Cloninger grounded to third. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, Nevada trails 1 to 0.
TOP OF THE THIRD
Felix Mantilla grounded to first base. <--->
Richie Ashburn walked. <--1>
Gus Bell grounded to short. <-2->
Ed Bouchee struck out. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the third, New York leads 1 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Gordy Coleman flied out to center. <--->
Billy Williams singled to center. <--1>
Tom Tresh struck out. <--1>
Jerry Adair singled to left field, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Lee Maye grounded to short. <3-1>
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the third, Nevada trails 1 to 0.
TOP OF THE FOURTH
Don Zimmer flied out to left field. <--->
Hobie Landrith lined out to right field. <--->
Ted Schreiber singled through the left side. <--1>
Jay Hook grounded to first. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, New York leads 1 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Johnny Schaive flied out to left field. <--->
Clete Boyer grounded to first. <--->
Johnny Blanchard popped up to the shortstop. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Nevada trails 1 to 0.
TOP OF THE FIFTH
John DeMerit walked. <--1>
Felix Mantilla grounded to the second baseman, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Richie Ashburn grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
Gus Bell grounded to second. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, New York leads 1 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Tony Cloninger singled over the third baseman. <--1>
Gordy Coleman singled to right. <-21>
Tony Cloninger went for an extra base and reached third. <3-1>
Billy Williams popped up to third. <3-1>
Tom Tresh lined out to third. <3-1>
Jerry Adair singled to left-center, scoring a run. <3-1>
Lee Maye lined out to center. <3-1>
1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, the game is tied at 1.
TOP OF THE SIXTH
Ed Bouchee singled to center. <--1>
Don Zimmer grounded back to the pitcher, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Don Zimmer was caught stealing second. <--->
Hobie Landrith walked. <--1>
Ted Schreiber doubled down the right field line. <32->
Hobie Landrith went for an extra base and reached home, scoring a run. <-2->
Gil Hodges pinch hit for Jay Hook. <-2->
Gil Hodges walked. <-21>
John DeMerit grounded to the pitcher. <-21>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, New York leads 2 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Bob Miller came in to pitch for the Mets. <--->
Johnny Schaive grounded to the third baseman. <--->
Clete Boyer grounded to second. <--->
Johnny Blanchard flied out to center field. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Nevada trails 2 to 1.
TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Felix Mantilla grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Richie Ashburn lined out to third. <--->
Gus Bell grounded to the second baseman. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, New York leads 2 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Frank Thomas came in to play First Base. <--->
Tony Cloninger struck out. <--->
Gordy Coleman struck out. <--->
Billy Williams doubled in the left field gap. <-2->
Billy Williams went for an extra base and reached third. <3-->
Tom Tresh struck out. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Nevada trails 2 to 1.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Frank Thomas popped up to second. <--->
Don Zimmer popped up to short. <--->
Hobie Landrith flied out to left. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, New York leads 2 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Charlie Neal came in to play Third Base. <--->
Jerry Adair grounded to the third baseman. <--->
Lee Maye grounded to second. <--->
Johnny Schaive singled down the first base line. <--1>
Johnny Schaive went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Clete Boyer grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, Nevada trails 2 to 1.
TOP OF THE NINTH
Charlie Neal popped up to second. <--->
Joe Christopher pinch hit for Bob Miller. <--->
Joe Christopher lined out to center. <--->
Bob Duliba came in to pitch for the Dusters. <--->
John DeMerit struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, New York leads 2 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Stu Miller came in to pitch for the Mets. <--->
Johnny Blanchard singled up the middle. <--1>
Bob Duliba popped up to the third baseman. <--1>
Gordy Coleman singled down the right field line, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Billy Williams flied out to left. <3-1>
Johnny Blanchard tagged up and reached home, scoring a run. <--1>
Tom Tresh popped up to second. <--1>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the ninth, the game is tied at 2.
TOP OF THE TENTH
Felix Mantilla singled down the left field line. <--1>
Richie Ashburn grounded to third, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Gus Bell singled to right, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Frank Thomas reached first on a fielding error by the catcher - a run scored. <-21>
Don Zimmer laid down a sacrifice bunt to first base. <32->
Hobie Landrith flied out to center. <32->
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the tenth, New York leads 3 to 2.
BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
Jerry Adair popped up foul down the first base line. <--->
Lee Maye struck out. <--->
Johnny Schaive struck out. <--->
METS WIN: 3-2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Mets (NYM) 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 8 0
Dusters (NEV) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 11 1
NEW YORK ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
J. DeMerit (RF) 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .214
F. Mantilla (SS) 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .241
R. Ashburn (CF) 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 .183
G. Bell (LF) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .216
E. Bouchee (1B) 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 .310
F. Thomas (1B) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
D. Zimmer (2B) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .340
H. Landrith (C) 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 .189
T. Schreiber (3B) 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
C. Neal (3B) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
J. Hook (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G. Hodges (PH) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .321
B. Miller (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J. Christopher (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
S. Miller (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 36 8 5 3 0 1 2 1
2B: T. Schreiber (1)
NEW YORK ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
J. Hook 5.0 7 1 0 1 1 1 74 3.30
B. Miller 3.0 2 0 0 0 0 3 37 4.15
S. Miller 2.0 2 0 0 1 1 2 30 3.86
TOTALS 10.0 11 1 0 2 2 6 141
NEVADA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
G. Coleman (1B) 5 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .474
B. Williams (LF) 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .339
T. Tresh (CF) 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 .270
J. Adair (SS) 4 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 .310
L. Maye (RF) 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .200
J. Schaive (2B) 5 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333
C. Boyer (3B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .412
J. Blanchard (C) 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .220
T. Cloninger (P) 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 .182
B. Duliba (P) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
TOTALS 40 11 1 2 0 2 6 0
2B: J. Schaive (2)
3B: B. Williams (1)
NEVADA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
T. Cloninger 8.2 6 5 0 2 2 1 144 4.01
B. Duliba 1.1 2 0 0 1 1 1 27 3.60
TOTALS 10.0 8 5 0 3 3 2 171
WP: S. Miller (1-0)
LP: B. Duliba (0-1)
)
Attendance: 14,639
Time: 2:56
|