The
NEVADA DUSTERS
The Story of a Major League Baseball Franchise
|
|
Colt .45's @ Dusters
July 30-August 1, 1962
|
|
Trading for the Future
On July 30, one day prior to the trading deadline, Conn Hudson inked the first big trade in Nevada Duster history, sending starter Steve Barber along with minor league pitching prospect Dave Eilers and $1,000,000 to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for pitcher Ray Culp and utility player Danny Cater. Baseball writers speculated that the trade stemmed from Hudson's inability to negotiate a deal with Barber, whose contract expired at the end of 1962. Barber would not waver from his demands for a three-year, $5,400,000 deal. "Hudson had to make a choice," wrote Las Vegas Sun sportswriter Al Childress. "This is the walk year for Vic Power, Johnny Blanchard, Clete Boyer, Lee Maye and Jerry Adair -- in other words, most of the Nevada Dusters starting lineup. Hudson may not be able to afford keeping all of those players, but he certainly couldn't afford to and sign Barber as well." It was well known, too, that Barber (4-9, 4.70) wanted to be traded.
At the press conference that followed the announcement, Hudson acknowledged that he'd agonized over the decision for days. "Steve is a fine pitcher and I'm sure he'll have a long and productive career in the majors. Unfortunately, it won't be with the Dusters." Hudson also confirmed that he had rejected an offer from the St. Louis Cardinals which would have brought pitcher Ernie Broglio and catcher Gene Oliver to the Dusters. Broglio (2-4, 2.91) was a five-year veteran while Culp had not yet pitched in a major league game but had a 9-3 record in the Phillies A affiliate. According to Hudson, Culp would not pitch for the Dusters in 1962. But, as skipper Ben Naylor explained, "the trade is all about the future of the franchise, not about this year." When asked how he would handle losing one of his starters, Naylor said that Pete Richert would be the # 5 starter, and Jim Brewer was recalled from AAA Bakersfield to fill the empty spot in the bullpen. With a number of days off in August and September, would the Dusters opt at times for a four-man rotation? Naylor had no definite answer. "At times Pete might skip a start. But the main thing is to keep all the starters healthy down the stretch." Translation: the Dusters might be reluctant to go to a four-man rotation for fear of losing one of the first four -- Horlen, Shaw, McNally and Cloninger. When asked if Jim Bouton (6-3, 3.17) might be called up from AA Salt Lake City, Naylor said no. Bouton wasn't ready.
Born in Elgin, Texas in 1941, Culp was a rightie who'd been signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1959. He was sent to AA Salt Lake City. In other moves, Jim Bouton and pitcher Jim Roland were sent to AAA Bakersfield from Salt Lake City, and pitcher Hank Fischer was moved from A Tucson to Salt Lake City.
The Dusters announced a second trade -- minor league pitcher Cecil Upshaw to the Chicago White Sox for five-year veteran catcher Cam Carreon. Carreon -- .271, 4, 27 for the White Sox in 1961) was sent to AAA Bakersfield. Al Childress speculated that the move was made because of Hudson's and Naylor's dissatisfaction with the performance of backup catcher Doug Camilli, and not, as some suggested, because the Dusters were planning not to sign Johnny Blanchard. "Blanchard," wrote Childress, "is the most popular player on the club, and leads the team in home runs. He isn't asking for that much more than he is making this year, so the odds are very good that he'll be back in a Dusters uniform for '63."
When asked if he anticipated any more trades before the deadline, Naylor said no. "You should understand something about Conn Hudson," he told reporters. "He's a very loyal man. Any ballplayer who's with this club is like family to him, and it's hard for him to pull the trigger on a deal."
 Houston Colt '45's (36-66) @ Nevada Dusters (56-43)
July 30-August 1, 1962
Horizon Field, Las Vegas, NV
DL: none
TRADES
NEV Traded Steve Barber (P), Dave Eilers (P-AA Salt Lake City) and $1,000,000 to PHI for Ray Culp (P) and Danny Cater (1B/3B).
NEV traded Cecil Upshaw (P-R Montana Wolves) to CHW for Cam Carreon (C).
MOVES
Jim Bouton (P) sent up to AAA Bakersfield from AA Salt Lake City.
Jim Roland (P) sent up to AAA Bakersfield from AA Salt Lake City.
Hank Fischer (P) sent up from A Tucson to AA Salt Lake City.
Ray Culp (P) sent to AA Salt Lake City.
Danny Cater (1B/3B) sent to A Tucson.
Houston Colt .45's Game 1 starting lineup:
Jim Busby (CF), Joey Amalfitano (2B), Don Taussig (LF), Norm Larker (1B), Bob Aspromonte (3B), Walt Williams (RF), Adrian Garrett (C), Bob Lillis (SS), Ken Johnson (SP)
 [July 30, Game 1]
The Nevada Dusters celebrated the 100th game in franchise history by defeating the visiting Houston Colt .45's behind the pitching of Joe Horlen, returned from a stint on the DL, and the hitting of Billy Williams, Clete Boyer and Johnny Blanchard. Joey Amalfitano opened the Houston 4th with a homer to give Houston a 1-0 lead but Billy Williams tripled and later scored in the home half of the inning to tie it up. Blanchard's two-run blast in the 7th put the Dusters on top and they tacked on one more run in the 8th. The Colt .45's got a run against closer Bill Dailey in the top of the 9th but Nevada won 4-2. Horlen (8.0ip, 5h, 1bb, 1r, 1er, 2k, 2.40era) improved his record to 11-5 while Dailey notched his 11th save of the year. Houston starter Ken Johnson lost his 14th decision of the season. Clete Boyer finished the day 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI.
Lineup: Power, Maye, Williams, Lopez, Boyer, Adair, Blanchard, Tresh, Horlen
Record: 57-43
Dusters 4, Colt .45's 2
[July 31, Game 2]
Ben Naylor was optimistic about his club's chances against Houston starter Hal Woodeshick (1-8), who had been struggling of late, especially with Bob Shaw (14-2) taking the hill for the Dusters. But Woodeshick pitched a superb game, holding Nevada to just one run on five hits through eight innings. Shaw also worked eight innings and also allowed five hits. The difference was that he didn't give up a run. The game was scoreless until the home 8th, when Billy Williams cranked a solo homer just fair of the left field foul pole. The Colt .45's mounted several threats. They loaded the bases in the 2nd with two out, but Shaw fanned Al Heist to end the inning. They had a man in scoring position in the 6th and again in the 9th but couldn't bring him home. Horlen improved his record to 15-2 and Bill Dailey, who pitched the 9th, earned his 12th save.
Lineup: Power, Maye, Williams, Lopez, Boyer, Adair, Schaive, Camilli, Horlen
Record: 58-43
Dusters 1, Colt .45's 0
[August 1, Game 3]
Duster fans brought their brooms to Horizon Field, hoping for a sweep of the Colt .45's. Gordy Coleman (first base) and Ken Hubbs (second base) showed up on the Nevada lineup card to give Vic Power and Jerry Adair a day off. Norm Larker opened the Houston 2nd with a solo homer, but the Dusters responded quickly, as Hector Lopez hit his 19th long ball of the season and Tom Tresh and starting pitcher Tony Cloninger both picked up RBIs on grounders to make it 3-1 Nevada. A solo home run by pinch hitter Dick Gernert in the Houston 8th made it a one-run ballgame, and in the top of the 9th the Colt .45's juiced the bases with two outs, only to have Joey Amalfitano pop up to first to end the game. The Dusters' fans had their sweep, and Cloninger got his first complete game of the year, allowing eight hits, walking two and striking out five. It was the first series sweep for Nevada since taking all three in a series against the Cubs in late June, and the club's sixth of the season.
Lineup: Coleman, Maye, Williams, Lopez, Boyer, Hubbs, Blanchard, Tresh, Cloninger.
Record: 59-43
Dusters 3, Colt .45's 2
 Ken Johnson (HOU)
Nevada Dusters financial update:
Average Attendance: 13,354 ..... Revenue: $25.9M ..... Profit: $7.5M ..... Cash: $11.2M ..... Team Payroll: $20.6M
Series stats:
2Bs: Williams
3Bs: Williams
HRs: Blanchard, Williams, Lopez
SBs: none
Runs: Maye, Williams (2), Boyer (2), Blanchard, Lopez, Hubbs
RBIs: Lopez (2), Boyer, Blanchard (2), Williams, Tresh, Cloninger
Around the leagues:
BOS released Bill Bruton (CF).
BOS released Early Wynn (P).
KCA--Billy Bryan (C), ankle stress fracture, three weeks.
MIN--Mike Krsnich (LF), stretched knee ligament, five weeks.
NYY--Al Downing (P), strained knee, two weeks.
SFG--Billy Pierce (P), spiked achilles tendon, two weeks.
KCA--Bill Edgerton (P), hand stress fracture, two weeks.
LAA traded George Witt (P), Bobby Darwin (RF), Bob Botz (P) and Felix Torres (3B) to DET for Tommy Davis (LF).
DET traded Rocky Colavito (LF), Jerry Casale (P), Reno Bertoia (3B) to MIN for Zoilo Versalles (SS).
SFG traded Joe Pignatano (C) to MIN for Jimmie Hall (CF).
Houston Colt .45's at Nevada Dusters
August 1, 1962
TOP OF THE FIRST
Tony Cloninger takes the mound for the Dusters.
Al Heist walked. <--1>
Johnny Weekly grounded to third for a double play (5-4-3). <--->
Don Taussig flied out to left. <--->
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
Ken Johnson takes the mound for the Colt .45's.
Gordy Coleman grounded to first base. <--->
Lee Maye grounded to third. <--->
Billy Williams grounded to first. <--->
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
Norm Larker homered over the left field fence. <--->
Bob Aspromonte grounded to second. <--->
Don Buddin grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Adrian Garrett grounded to the shortstop. <--->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, Houston leads 1 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Hector Lopez homered over the left field fence. <--->
Clete Boyer singled down the first base line. <--1>
Ken Hubbs singled to center field, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Johnny Blanchard walked. <321>
Tom Tresh grounded to second, scoring a run. <3-1>
Tony Cloninger grounded to second, scoring a run. <--1>
Gordy Coleman struck out. <--1>
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, Nevada leads 3 to 1.
TOP OF THE THIRD
Bob Lillis doubled in the left field gap. <-2->
Ken Johnson grounded to third. The runner was tagged out at third. <--1>
Al Heist flied out to center. <--1>
Johnny Weekly singled through the hole. <-21>
Don Taussig flied out to center. <-21>
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Houston trails 3 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Lee Maye grounded to third. <--->
Billy Williams grounded to first. <--->
Hector Lopez grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the third, Nevada leads 3 to 1.
TOP OF THE FOURTH
Norm Larker popped up to second. <--->
Bob Aspromonte lined out to left. <--->
Don Buddin grounded to the third baseman. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Houston trails 3 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Clete Boyer popped up foul down the third base line. <--->
Ken Hubbs grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Johnny Blanchard grounded to short. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Nevada leads 3 to 1.
TOP OF THE FIFTH
Adrian Garrett flied out to left field. <--->
Bob Lillis grounded to second. <--->
Ken Johnson grounded to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Houston trails 3 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Tom Tresh popped up to short. <--->
Tony Cloninger grounded to first base. <--->
Gordy Coleman struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Nevada leads 3 to 1.
TOP OF THE SIXTH
Al Heist struck out. <--->
Johnny Weekly popped up to second. <--->
Don Taussig singled down the left field line. <--1>
Norm Larker grounded to second. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Houston trails 3 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Lee Maye grounded to first. <--->
Billy Williams flied out to center. <--->
Hector Lopez walked. <--1>
Clete Boyer popped up to second. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Nevada leads 3 to 1.
TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Vic Power came in to play First Base. <--->
Jerry Adair came in to play Second Base. <--->
Bob Aspromonte singled to left. <--1>
Don Buddin struck out. <--1>
Adrian Garrett struck out. <--1>
Bob Lillis grounded to first. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Houston trails 3 to 1.
BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Jerry Adair grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Johnny Blanchard lined out to right field. <--->
Tom Tresh grounded to first. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Nevada leads 3 to 1.
TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Dick Gernert pinch hit for Ken Johnson. <--->
Dick Gernert homered over the left field fence. <--->
Al Heist struck out. <--->
Johnny Weekly grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Don Taussig grounded to second. <--->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Houston trails 3 to 2.
BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Bobby Tiefenauer came in to pitch for the Colt .45's. <--->
Tony Cloninger grounded to first. <--->
Vic Power grounded to short. <--->
Lee Maye flied out to left. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, Nevada leads 3 to 2.
TOP OF THE NINTH
Norm Larker singled to left. <--1>
Bob Aspromonte struck out. <--1>
Don Buddin grounded back to the pitcher, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
Adrian Garrett singled into the right field corner, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Dave Roberts pinch hit for Bob Lillis. <3-1>
Dave Roberts walked. <321>
Joey Amalfitano pinch hit for Bobby Tiefenauer. <321>
Joey Amalfitano popped up to first. <321>
DUSTERS WIN: 3-2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Colt .45's (HOU) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 8 0
Dusters (NEV) 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 3 3 0
HOUSTON ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
A. Heist (CF) 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 .206
J. Weekly (RF) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
D. Taussig (LF) 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
N. Larker (1B) 4 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 .253
B. Aspromonte (3B) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .240
D. Buddin (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .243
A. Garrett (C) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333
B. Lillis (2B) 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
D. Roberts (PH) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .100
K. Johnson (P) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .116
D. Gernert (PH) 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 .255
B. Tiefenauer (P) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J. Amalfitano (PH) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
TOTALS 34 8 2 2 2 2 5 0
2B: B. Lillis (2)
HR: N. Larker (6), D. Gernert (7)
HOUSTON ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
K. Johnson 7.0 3 2 1 3 3 2 85 3.94
B. Tiefenauer 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6.65
TOTALS 8.0 3 2 1 3 3 2 90
NEVADA ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
G. Coleman (1B) 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 .286
V. Power (1B) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
L. Maye (CF) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272
B. Williams (LF) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .315
H. Lopez (RF) 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 .329
C. Boyer (3B) 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .280
K. Hubbs (2B) 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .208
J. Adair (2B) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .274
J. Blanchard (C) 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .227
T. Tresh (SS) 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .215
T. Cloninger (P) 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .111
TOTALS 27 3 2 3 1 3 2 0
HR: H. Lopez (19)
NEVADA ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
T. Cloninger 9.0 8 2 2 2 2 5 120 4.36
TOTALS 9.0 8 2 2 2 2 5 120
WP: T. Cloninger (5-7)
LP: K. Johnson (6-15)
Attendance: 10,589
Time: 2:10
|