The
NEVADA DUSTERS
The Story of a Major League Baseball Franchise
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Phillies @ Dusters
September 29-October 1, 1962
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Nevada Dusters 1962 Minor League Affiliates -- A Summary
Bakersfield Bullets (AAA)
The Bullets have benefited from the talents of at least four players who are destined for Big League play, perhaps as early as next season. Donn Clendenon, poised to take over at first base for the Dusters when Vic Power is done, finished the 1962 season with seven homers, 50 RBIs and a .349 average. Clendenon posted an on-base-percentage of nearly .400 and has baserunning speed that Nevada sorely needs. Outfielder Tony Oliva spent the first half of the season in AA, where he posted a .368 average. At Bakersfield he played in 45 games and ended up with twelve homers and a .279 BA. Oliva will probably spend another year with the Bullets before moving up. Starter Jim Bouton also spent much of the year at AA, posting a 6-3 record and a 3.17 ERA. Likewise starter Phil Niekro, who was 9-2 with a 3.13 ERA. Bouton may make the jump to the Big Leagues next year, while the Dusters organization is admittedly ambivalent about Niekro; no one doubts his immense potential, but Niekro wants to be traded, believing he would be on a faster track with another club.
Salt Lake City Saints (AA)
First baseman Wes Parker spent most of the season with the Saints and finished with a .307 average. His only obstacle is Donn Clendenon at Bakersfield, who is Vic Power's obvious heir-apparent at first. The Dusters have determined that Parker is not suited for another position, but are loathe to part with such a talented young player. Middle infielder Denis Menke is, by all accounts, just a year away from the Big Leagues. If second baseman Ken Hubbs does not improve in '63, Menke may be catapulted into The Show. But there is another talented second baseman with the Saints -- Cookie Rojas. Rojas played 133 games with the Salt Lake City affiliate, posting a .302 average. Fortunately for Rojas, he can play other positions. Starter Ray Culp, acquired in the Steve Barber trade, started just eight games, finishing with a record of 2-4 and a 5.56 ERA. Despite these numbers, the organization is confident that Culp will blossom in a year or two. Blossoming right now are relief pitchers Hank Fischer -- 3-1, 1.01 ERA -- and Ron Herbel -- 6-2, 3.66 ERA . They give the Dusters much-needed bullpen potential.
Tucson Stingers (A)
The star of the Stingers this year was outfielder Jose Cardenal, who posted a .367 BA and a .532 slugging percentage. The organization is also pleased with the work of shortstop Gene Alley, catcher Jerry Grote, and third baseman George Banks. First baseman Danny Cater, acquired late in the season as part of the Steve Barber trade, hit five homers and accumulated a .382 average in fourteen games. The Stingers enjoyed an abundance of good pitching from the likes of Clay Carroll (3-2, 1.81 ERA, 3 saves), Dick Kelley (11-4, 2.23 ERA), Larry Maxie (6-2, 2.66 ERA) and Cecil Butler (4-6, 2.27 ERA, 1 save). All four hurlers will be making their way up the affiliate chain next year.
Montana Wolves (R)
First baseman Tony Perez led the Wolves in many batting categories, clubbing 17 homers and ending the year with a .409 average. Third baseman Bob Bailey did nearly as well -- 14 dingers and a .378 average, while Randy Hundley is considered one of the most talented catchers at the Rookie level. Southpaw starter Wade Blasingame impressed with a 4-0 record and a 1.70 ERA in his twelve starts, as did Bruce Howard (5-2, 2.65 ERA). Blasingame and Howard, along with Marcelino Lopez (who, unfortunately, was injured much of the season), are expected to see action in the Dusters' starting rotation before too many more years have passed.
Philadelphia Phillies (70-83) @ Nevada Dusters (95-55)
September 29-October 1, 1962
Horizon Field, Las Vegas, NV
DL: Jim Umbricht (RP), elbow tendonitis, two days. Pete Richert (SP), ankle stress fracture, six days. Claude Raymond (RP), sprained neck, one day. Roger Repoz (CF-Montana Wolves), broken ankle, 38 days.
MOVES
Claude Raymond rejoins the bullpen from the DL. Jim Roland (RP) sent down to AAA Bakersfield.
Philadelphia Phillies Game 1 starting lineup:
[September 29, Game 1]
The Dusters began back-to-back series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies with Dave McNally (10-7) taking on Chris Short and getting into trouble early as 1st inning RBI doubles by Roy Sievers and Wes Covington gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead. The Dusters tied the game in the bottom half of the 1st, and took the lead in the 5th when a Vic Power single scored Cam Carreon, who started in place of Johnny Blanchard. Johnny Callison opened the Philly 6th with a solo blast and it was 3-3. In the 7th Ben Naylor saw fit to pinch hit for McNally with a man in scoring position, to no avail, and in the Philadelphia 8th Jim Roland issued a pair of walks and Don Demeter singled to load the bases. Then Roland walked in a run and Nails dispatched Bob Duliba to the mound. Duliba walked in another run, Ted Savage hit a two-run single, and Billy Klaus homered to left for three more, providing the visiting team with an eight-run frame and a 11-3 lead. "All you can do is shake your head when you have an inning like that," Nails told reporters after the game. Roland (1-1) took the loss. Carreon went 3-for-4. Fortunately for Nevada, the Giants also lost, and the Dusters maintained their five game lead in the NL.
Lineup: Power, Maye, Williams, Lopez, Boyer, Adair, Schaive, Carreon, McNally
Record: 95-56
Phillies 11, Dusters 3
[September 30, Game 2]
[October 1, Game 3]
NL: (1) Nevada 95-55, (2) San Francisco 92-62, (3) Pittsburgh 89-62
AL: (1) Minnesota 90-61, (2) New York 90-64, (3) Baltimore 87-67
Nevada Dusters financial update:
Average Attendance: 13,987 ..... Revenue: $40.3M ..... Profit: $13.1M ..... Cash: $16.8M ..... Team Payroll: $24.9M
Series stats:
2Bs: Jones, Hubbs, Boyer, Schaive, Adair, Williams, Carreon (2)
3Bs: Maye, Lopez
HRs: none
SBs: Williams, Maye
Runs: Maye (4), Lopez (3), Adair (3), Hubbs, Boyer (3), Schultz, Power, Blanchard, Williams, Carreon
RBIs: Maye, Oliva, Hubbs (2), Cloninger, Jones, Lopez, Boyer (3), Adair (4), Schaive (2), Power, Williams
Around the leagues:
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