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September 30, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

41,327 anxious fans piled into Candlestick Park on a do or die afternoon with Billy O’Dell, winner of 19 and loser of 14 facing Houston’s Dick Farrell with a record of 10 and 19. O’Dell had beaten the .45s twice 3-2 and 10-3 and lost a 6-4 game. Farrell had earlier this season shutout the Giants 7-0 on a six-hit nine-strike out effort and lost his only other appearance 3-1. The only thing for sure as the game started was the weather – 70 degrees, under clear skies, the humidity at 68%, but much too early in the afternoon to predict what the winds would be doing in an hour or two. Officially at game time the wind is the usual soft breeze out of the southeast at five MPH.

With the Giants and the .45s tied at 1-1 after six innings the long awaited scoreboard watching ended with the electronic screen flashing the good news - St.Louis has beaten the Dodgers! And, the Giants were half way home.

Up to this point Ed Bailey had accounted for the home teams’ lead with his 17th home run in the fourth inning - until the 6th when Roman Mejias, Bob Aspromonte and Jim Pendelton each singled to tighten the knot at 1-1.

Farrell opened the 7th with a double but O’Dell left him on second base by retiring the next three Colts. Carl Warwick popped to the mound, Johnny Temple grounded to Jim Davenport at third and O’Dell got Mejias on a roller to Chuck Hiller at second. No one knew at the time - Turk would be the final Houston base runner.

The Giants loaded the bases in the seventh on a hit batter and two singles but Farrell kept the score 1-1 when he retired Matty Alou on a pop up to Temple at second base. The .45s were no match for Stu Miller in the top of the eighth with Warwick, Temple and Mejias going down in order.

There seemed to be a certain amount of anxiety emanating from the crowd as the Giants came to bat in the eighth, but when number 24 stepped to the on deck circle and then into the batters’ box, it seemed the crowd reaction changed from anxiety to hope. Mays had been held hitless this afternoon by Farrell – after drawing a base on balls in the first inning, Mays took a called third strike in the third and popped out to J.C. Hartman at short in the sixth. The cheers that greeted Mays moments ago would not even be a blip on the radar screen compared to the fans reaction that seemed to shake the very foundation of Candlestick as Mays deposited Farrell’s fast ball into the left-center field seats. Turk had been brilliant during this titanic struggle and kept his composure by retiring Willie McCovey on a fly ball to Warwick in center, Bailey on a fly to Mejias in right then faced his final batter of the year forcing Jim Davenport to go out shortstop Hartman to Norm Larker – but San Francisco led 2-1.

O’Dell had been lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh and manager Alvin Dark had sent in Stu Miller to work the eighth. After retiring the Colts in order in his initial inning he started the ninth by getting Hal Smith on a line drive to Harvey Kuenn in left, pinch hitter Merritt Ranew (batting for Hartman) on a foul popup to catcher Ed Bailey and now facing the challenge of another pinch batter in Billy Goodman who was sent in to bat for Farrell (10-20). With all the Giants fans on their feet Miller ended the game as a top-notch closer should do - Goodman went down swinging as Miller (5-8) retired all nine of the nine batters he faced to seal the victory and end the 1962 regular season in a tie with Los Angeles - each with a 101-61 record.

Houston finished its inaugural major league season with 64 wins and 96 losses .400 in eighth place 36 and a-half games behind first. The team had faced an important final week against the pennant contenders and split the six games 2-1 against LA and 1-2 vs. San Francisco. We’ll leave with this note on pitcher Turk Farrell who worked the season’s final game to its completion for his eighth complete game striking out 203 in 241.2 innings while allowing only 210 hits, 55 walks and an ERA of 3.01. He won 10 and lost 20. Following today’s game he was asked by a writer how it felt to lose 20 games? His reply: “I must have been a pretty good pitcher if my manager sent be out every fifth day.” He was that good a pitcher starting 29 and relieving in 14 games.

October 1, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

Game One - Los Angeles   - 000-000-000 - 0  3  1   
           San Francisco - 210-002-03X - 8 10  0     
             WP - Pierce 16-6  HR - Mays (2), Davenport (1)  
             LP - Koufax 14-7       Cepeda (1)

October 2, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

Game Two - San Francisco - 010-004-020 - 7 13  1                          
           Los Angeles   - 000-007-001 - 8  7  2 
             WP - Williams (14-12)  
             LP - Bolin (7-3)

October 3, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

Game Three - San Francisco - 002-000-004 - 6 13  3 
             Los Angeles   - 000-102-100 - 4  8  4
               WP - Larsen (5-4)  HR - Tommy Davis (1) 
               LP - Roebuck (10-2)

HOUSTON BASEBALL HISTORY - 1888-1962

Houston made its first appearance in professional baseball as a member of the Texas League in 1888 and was represented in every year the circuit existed prior to 1900.

The league disbanded following the 1899 season and from 1903 to 1906, Houston was a member of the South Texas League. Houston rejoined the Texas League in 1907 and was a member continuously until joining the American Association in 1959.

October 17, 1960 - Houston, represented by Craig Cullinan, George Kirksey, R.E. Bob Smith and Roy Hofheinz, was voted a franchise in the National League.

January 17, 1961 - Houston Sports Association purchased Houston Buffaloes, American Association franchise, for an unclosed amount, removing last major obstacle for Houston’s major league status.

June 14, 1961 - Houston Sports Association signed contract for stands and seats for COLT STADIUM, the 32,000 seat auxiliary stadium to be used by 45’s in 1962.

August 29, 1961 - R. E. Bob Smith and Roy Hofheinz purchased 494 acres of land from Hilton Hotels Corporation for $5 million. 180 acres of this purchase was then sold to the county for the Harris County Domed Stadium.

October 10, 1961 - Houston purchased 23 players in National League player pool for $1,850,000 as nucleus of 1962 club.

October 13, 1961 - First day in history that a team played professional baseball under the name of Houston Colts, as Colt.22s began play in Arizona instructional league at Scottsdale, Arizona.

February 16, 1962 - First major league team in the south opened spring training at Apache Junction, Arizona.

March 10, 1962 - Palm Springs, California. The Houston Colt .45s, one of the two new kids on the block in the National League, along with the New York Mets, play their first official spring training game losing to the Los Angeles Angels 7-3.

Playing before a crowd of 2,797 on a clear 68 degree afternoon, Bob Bruce is the club's first starting pitcher. He goes three innings and is charged with the loss. Other pitchers working the game were Hal Woodeshick, Manny Montejo and Bobby Tiefenauer. Rightfielder Roman Mejias goes 3-for-4 with two singles and a double.

The first starting lineup for the Colt .45s was Al Heist CF, Bob Lillis 2B, Norm Larker 1B, Mejias RF, Jim Pendleton LF, Merritt Ranew C, Don Buddin SS, Bob Aspromonte 3B and Bruce P.

Interestingly, four participants in this game, Bob Lillis, Buck Rodgers, Jim Fregosi and Chuck Tanner would go to become major league managers.

Houston made its first appearance in professional baseball as a member of the Texas League in 1888 and was represented in every year the circuit existed prior to 1900.

March 11, 1962 - Palm Springs, California

The Colt .45s lay down a barrage of 13 hits but still lose to the Angels 8-7. Led by catcher Hal Smith's three singles and a three-run home run by Jim McDaniel, every starter had at least one hit except starting pitcher Bobby Shantz. Along with McDaniel's homer, he walked three times. Dick Farrell was the loser giving up five unearned runs following a Norm Larker error, Turk also allowed two hits, two walks and hit three batters.

March 12, 1962 - Apache Junction, Arizona

After losing their first two games to Los Angeles, the Colt .45s make their spring home debut at Geronimo Park and drop a 6-1 decision to San Francisco. Ken Johnson is the starter and loser with Dean Stone relieving and retiring all nine batters he faced. Don Larsen started for the the Giants and with three other pitchers scattered four Houston hits. Rusty Staub, only two weeks away from his 19th birthday, strikes out swinging in the fourth inning as a pinch hittter in his professional debut.

March 13, 1962 - Tucson, Arizona

Jim Umbricht pitches the Colt .45s to their first victory with three innings of work, allowing three hits while striking out three in a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians. Umbricht also singled in one of Houston's runs in the second with Jack Waters driving in the other with a single in the third. Jim Golden and Manny Montejo held the Tribe to four hits through the final six innings.

March 14, 1962 - Apache Junction, Arizona

Hal Woodeshick allows four runs on seven hits in the first two innings and is the losing pitcher in Houston's 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Houston's Von McDaniel goes 3-for-3 with a double after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. Bobby Tiefenauer, Ken Johnson and Ken Pate also pitched for the Colt .45s.

March 15, 1962 - Apache Junction, Arizona

Al Cicotte shuts down the Cleveland Indians with four hits through the first four innings in Houston’s 4-2 win. Dave Giusti works the final five and also allows four hits with Roman Mejias leading the offense with two singles.

March 16, 1962 - Scottsdale, Arizona

Bobby Shantz and Bob Bruce combine their 6-hit, no walk pitching into a 9-1 win over the Red Sox. The offense bangs out 11 hits, five for extra bases with Jack Waters going 3-for-4 - two doubles and four RBI. Bob Aspromonte opened the game with a home run and Jim Pendleton hit a 3-run shot in the fifth.

March 17, 1962 - Apache Junction, Arizona

The .45s take advantage of Bo Belinsky’s six walks, three hits and six runs in the first three innings, then hold on to a 12-7 win over Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Dean Stone, Ken Johnson and non-roster pitcher Bill Griffin are shelled with 13 hits while Houston is committing five errors. The .45s erupted for four runs in the 8th to sew up the win. Hal Smith was the star of the game with two walks, two doubles and the catcher's surprising steal of home off Belinsky.

March 18, 1962 - Apache Junction, Arizona

Houston and Los Angeles play through a total of 30 hits before the Angels unload for eight runs in the 11th inning off .45s pitcher Ken Pate for a 14-8 win. Houston was out-hit 18-12 with Bob Aspromonte and Jim Pendleton each hitting two-run homers. Aside from Pate’s bad inning, Jim Golden and Ken Johnson gave up six runs between them.

March 19, 1962 - Phoenix, Arizona

Hal Woodeshick and Bobby Tiefenauer are roughed up for 13 hits and nine runs by San Francisco, but the Colt .45s hold on for a 12-9 victory with 13 hits of their own. Each starting player had at least one hit, led by Roman Mejias, three, and seven of the eight got into the RBI column.

March 20, 1962 - Mesa, Arizona

RAINED OUT

March 21, 1962 - Apache Junction, Arizona

Houston nips Boston in 13-innings 8-7 on a single by non-roster first baseman Pidge Browne and a base hit by Don Taussig. It wasn’t a good day for pitchers with Hal Woodeshick and rookies Jim Dickson and Bill Griffin giving up 12 hits and four Red Sox pitchers allowing eleven. Hal Smith hit his first home run, a three run shot and Jim Pendleton hit his second.

March 22, 1962 - Mesa, Arizona

Houston racks up its third straight win with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Starter Bobby Shantz pitches seven innings for the win and Al Cicotte finishes. The Colt .45s two runs come in the sixth on singles by Bob Aspromonte and Roman Mejias, a walk to Dick Gernert and Jack Waters sacrifice fly.

March 23, 1962 - Scottsdale, Arizona

The Colt.45s knock off the Red Sox 8-5 for their fourth straight win. Down 5-3 after eight innings, Houston scores two runs in the ninth to tie on Johnny Weekly’s home run and a single by Joey Amalfitano. The winning run comes on a three-run homer by Pidge Browne.

March 24, 1962 - San Diego, California

Houston plays its first spring night game against the Los Angeles Angels and win their fifth straight 6-1. The Colt .45s score all their runs in the second inning on a bases loaded double by Johnny Weekly, a double by Dave Giusti, a single by Joey Amalfitano and four bases on balls. Giusti and Hal Woodeshick shared the pitching, holding the Angels to four hits. The game is played at Westgate Park, home of the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League on a chilly evening before 1,890 fans.

March 25, 1962 - San Diego, California

The Angels break a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the seventh on two singles and Bob Aspromonte’s error. Then go on to a 5-4 victory over the Colt.45s. The loss snaps Houston’s five-game winning streak and moves the club’s record to 9-6. Jim Golden started for the Colts, pitching five innings and Dean Stone suffered the loss. Golden contributed a single and double in his two at-bats and shortstop Don Buddin hit his first spring homer.

March 26, 1962 - Yuma, Arizona

After taking off from San Diego the Colt .45s lose an engine on their DC6 but the United States Air Force appears on the scene to form a three-plane convoy (the Angels plane is nearby) and both the Houston and Los Angeles charters are escorted safely into the army base in Yuma. (in 1962 many of the athletes were "flying sissies"). Back to the field of battle the next day - Bob Bruce works seven innings and Jim Umbricht the last two, as they throw a four-hit shutout and beat Los Angeles 7-0. The Colts sewed up the win early off Angels pitcher Bo Belinsky with a five-run second inning, featuring a solo homer by Don Taussig and a grand slam by Joey Amalfitano. In two outings against the flamboyant Belinsky this spring, Houston has scored 14 runs on eight hits and 13 bases on balls in just nine innings. For lack of a press box in this desert city the Colt .45s radio network was given a prime spot right in the middle of the crowd numbering 2,150. It was a windy and sand-blown day and engineer Bob Green (yet to reach the experience-stature of the "Dean of Major League Technicians"), does his usual yeoman job of overcoming a disaster when an exuberant fan stumbles over him and dumps a soft drink on both Greenie and his valuable equipment -- thus the beginning of his record of never missing a broadcast inning.

March 27, 1962 - Phoenix, Arizona

The Colt.45s blow out the San Francisco Giants 11-4 with a 16-hit attack including five home runs - two each by Roman Mejias and Hal Smith and a solo shot by Pidge Browne. Bob Aspromonte goes 3-for-3 with two doubles and a single and Mejias adds a triple for his 11 total bases. Al Cicotte works five innings for the club’s 11th win in 17 games.

March 28, 1962 - Scottsdale, Arizona

The Colt.45s blow out the San Francisco Giants 11-4 with a 16-hit attack including five home runs - two each by Roman Mejias and Hal Smith and a solo shot by Pidge Browne. Bob Aspromonte goes 3-for-3 with two doubles and a single and Mejias adds a triple for his 11 total bases. Al Cicotte works five innings for the club’s 11th win in 17 games.

March 29, 1962 - Mesa, Arizona

The Cubs get to starter Dave Giusti early with four runs and six hits in four innings and Chicago goes on to a 7-5 win over the Colt.45s. Hal Smith hits a three-run homer in the 4th to cut the Cubs lead to one run. It's Smith fifth homer of the spring and brings his RBI total to 18. Roman Mejias who entered the game batting .408, goes 2-for-4. Giusti started the game with ERA of 2.08 as his record fell to 2-1.

April 10, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

OPENING DAY!

On a cloudy afternoon at Colt Stadium the Colt.45s inaugurate major league baseball in Houston. With flags flying and the sound of Dixie Land music 25,271 fans clog the parking lots to see their home town heroes knock off he Cubs 11-2.

Roman Mejias, who led the Colts during the spring with an average of .397, continues his torrid hitting with two home runs and six RBI in the club’s 13 hit attack off five Chicago pitchers. Veteran Bobby Shantz goes the distance with a five-hitter and exhibits his usual dazzling fielding with three assists. Ernie Banks accounts for one of the Cubs runs with a 7th inning homer and Jim McDaniel’s pinch triple, and Lou Brock’s sacrifice fly accounts for the other run. Catcher Hal Smith joins Mejias with a homer and Bob Aspromonte picks up three hits.

The starting lineups for this historic game:
CHICAGO - Lou Brock CF, Ken Hubbs 2B, Billy Williams LF, Ernie Banks 1B, George Altman RF, Ron Santo 3B, Elder White SS, Cuno Barragan C, Don Cardwell P.
HOUSTON - Bob Aspromonte 3B, Al Spangler CF, Roman Mejias RF, Norm Larker 1B, Jim Pendleton LF, Hal Smith C, Joey Amalfitano 2B, Don Buddin SS, Bobby Shantz P.

UMPIRES: plate-Dusty Boggess, 1B-Stan Landes, 2B-Vinnie Smith, 3B-Mel Steiner

April 11, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Hal Woodeshick shuts out Chicago for eight innings and Dick Farrell wraps up the win in the ninth as the Colt .45s knock off the Cubs 2-0. Woodeshick left the game after a walk and single to open the ninth and Farrell closed it with a double play ball and strike out. Both Houston runs come in the first inning off Chicago’s Glenn Hobbie on a single by Al Spangler, walks to Norm Larker and Jim Pendleton and a base hit by Hal Smith. Roman Mejias had two hits for the Colts and Ernie Banks had three singles for Chicago.

20,336 watched the first night game at Colt Stadium with a strong Southeast wind at 10-miles per hour and a temperature of 77. The humidity was 97%.

April 12, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Only 7,838 paid fans show up at Colt Stadium to see Houston sweep its three-game series from the Cubs, in which Chicago scored only two runs. Dean Stone spins a three-hit shutout as the Colt.45s win 2-0. Houston now will hit the road with 19 straight shutout innings moving into Philadelphia tomorrow.

Stone strikes out nine Chicago batters while three Cubs pitcher were holding the Colts to four hits. Hal Smith singled in the first Houston run in the 4th inning following a walk to Joey Amalfitano and a base hit by Dick Gernert. Chicago pitcher Joe Gerard gave up a two-out single in the 9th to Bob Aspromonte, who followed with a steal of second and scored on two wild pitches.

April 13, 1962 - Philadelphia, Connie Mack Stadium

The Colt.45s drop a 3-2 decision to the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium on a rainy 40-degree night with a 15-MPH wind gusting to 25. Philadelphia rookie righthander Jack Hamilton bested Houston’s Turk Farrell and Bobby Tiefenauer, despite their 4-hit effort. Each allowed two hits and Farrell struck out nine in six innings, but walked five. Two bases on balls by Farrell and a single by Clay Dalrymple accounted for one of Philadelphia’s runs and Tony Taylor homered in the sixth and doubled in the leading run in the eighth. The Colt .45s two runs, oddly enough came across the plate on Hamilton’s wild pitch and the other on his balk. Houston had seven hits, two each by Norm Larker and Joey Amalfitano.

April 14, 1962 - Philadelphia, Connie Mack Stadium

Neither the weather nor Phillies pitching cooperates with the Colt.45s as they drop a 3-0 decision on a chilly afternoon game. Philadelphia righthander Art Mahaffey, who was on the ropes in the first two innings, allows only three hits in the last seven. Houston batters came up with two hits each in the first and second innings, and all four were stranded. Meanwhile, loser Ken Johnson pitched well for Houston before weakening in the sixth and seventh innings when he allowed all three of the Phillies runs on five of their six hits. All seven of the Colt .45s hits were singles with Roman Mejias, Norm Larker and Don Buddin picking up two each. Only 2,732 fans attended with the temperature at 45 degrees and winds gusting 15-25 miles per hour.

April 15, 1962 - Philadelphia, Connie Mack Stadium

Both ends of today’s Doubleheader are postponed - rain and cold.

April 16, 1962 - New York, Polo Grounds

Colts have their third straight game postponed - snow and cold.

The Colt .45s win 5-3 over the Mets in the first meeting of the two National League expansion teams. All five of Houston’s runs come on round-trippers, a two-run home by Norm Larker in the sixth inning and a three-run shot by Don Buddin wins the game in the 11th. Hal Smith and Joey Amalfitano had singled ahead of his homer. After scoring a run in the eighth New York sends the game into overtime in the last of the 9th on Gus Bell’s home run. Starter Bobby Shantz was lifted with two-out in the sixth without allowing a run, giving up only four hits, striking out five and allowing only one walk. Jim Golden was the winning pitcher. Roman Mejias continued his plus .400 hitting going 3-for-4.

April 18, 1962 - Chicago, Wrigley Field

Cubs lefthander Dick Ellsworth goes all ten innings against the Colt .45s and chalks up a 3-2 victory. Houston pulled out to a 2-1 lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but Chicago tied it in the seventh, and won it after two were out in the bottom of the tenth. Ernie Banks, who had tripled in the first Cubs run off starter Hal Woodeshick, and added singles in the sixth and seventh, hit the winning home run into a 12 mile-an-hour wind blowing in from Lake Michigan off Dick Farrell. Center fielder Al Heist, making his first start of the season after breaking his ankle in the first spring exhibition game, went 2-for-4.

April 19, 1962 - Chicago, Wrigley Field

Dean Stone, following his shutout over the Cubs on April 12, repeats with another, this one a five-hitter, as he knocks off Chicago 6-0. In his 18 innings against the Cubs he has allowed only eight hits, struck out 12 and walked three. Meanwhile, the Colt .45s pummel four Chicago pitchers with 12 hits, led by catcher Merritt Ranew’s double and two singles. Johnny Weekly, who replaced Roman Mejias in right field in the fifth inning, and making only his second plate appearance of the year, homers off losing pitcher Don Cardwell in the seventh. After their first eight games Houston holds a 5-3 record, is in fourth place in the National League and three games out of first place.

April 20, 1962 - OPEN DATE

April 21, 1962 – Houston, Colt Stadium

Returning from their first road trip, winning two games out of five, the Colt .45s play before a crowd of 21,841 and lose to Philadelphia 3-1. Ken Johnson (0-2) gives up six hits in seven innings and strikes out six. Houston scores its only run on a double by Jim Pendleton, with Joey Amalfitano picking up the RBI on a single. It was Pendleton’s second two-bagger of the game, he also added a base hit to account for three of the Colts eight hits off winner Cal McLish and reliever Jack Baldschun. Al Spangler also chipped in with two singles in the losing cause.

April 22, 1962 – Houston, Colt Stadium

After dropping their first three games to the Phillies (3-2,3-0,3-1) Houston loses another close one 4-3 in an error-prone game. Miscues by starting pitcher Dave Giusti (0-1) and Jim Pendleton lead to two of Philadelphia’s runs, with Norm Larker and Merritt Ranew pushing the error count to four. Giusti is knocked out in the seventh inning giving up all four Phillies runs on eight hits, but he had better luck at the plate going 2-for-2 and scoring a run. Hal Smith contributed a single and double, Al Spangler two singles, Larker an RBI on a sacrifice fly and the clubs’ leading hitter, Roman Mejias (.378), driving in his seventh run of the season with a triple.

April 23, 1962 - FINAL GAME OF SERIES WITH PHILADELPHIA - RAINED OUT

April 24, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The Colt .45s continue their ragged fielding with five errors but still manage a 4-3 win over St. Louis. Hal Woodeshick (2-0) pitches a complete game, holding the Cardinals to six hits while striking out seven. Don Taussig’s first home run of the year in the seventh inning proves to be the winning run. Bob Aspromonte, Al Spangler and shortstop Bob Lillis, making his first start of the season, each had two of Houston’s seven hits. 19,335 attended on a beautiful 77-degree evening (many of whom came mainly to see Musial) saw “Stan the Man” strike out, ground out and fly out off Woodeshick.

April 25, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The Colt .45s and St. Louis stagger through 17 innings for five hours and 13 minutes, but have little to show for it in a 5-5 tie. The game was called because of curfew and must be replayed in it's entirety, although all individual records are official. Houston went through five pitchers and the Cardinals used four. St.Louis tied the game in the top of the ninth and the only threat made by the Colts after that came in the 15th when they loaded the bases with one out and failed to score. St.Louis left two runners in scoring position in the final eight innings and Houston stranded three. There were two home runs in the game, a two-run shot by Curt Flood in the fourth and a solo home run by Merritt Ranew in the eighth inning. Ranew (The Fox) went 4-for-6 in catching the entire game. The 17,265 who attended, some hoping to see Stan Musial, saw him enter in the 10th as a pinch-hitter and strike out swinging at the hands of Dick Farrell (whom, as I recall. said he got “Stan The Man” with a spitter). There was no official count of the number of fans in Colt Stadium when the game was called at 1:13 a.m.

April 26, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson has a no-hitter going into the eighth inning but Roman Mejias breaks it up with a lead-off homer (#7). Al Heist follows with the only other hit off Gibson, a single, and St.Louis goes on to win 3-2. Colt .45s pitcher Ken Johnson (0-3) is also tough, but falls short of the brilliant 26-year-old Gibson, spinning an eight-hitter while striking out eight Red Birds.

Houston takes a second inning lead off Gibson on a walk to Jim Pendleton, and during the process of eliminating Roman Mejias, and Merritt Ranew on infield ground-outs, throws a wild pitch and Pendleton scores. St.Louis second baseman Julian Javier leads off the fourth inning with a home run to tie the game at 1-1. The Cardinals take a 2-1 lead in the seventh when Gene Oliver reaches second on a throwing error by Bob Aspromonte and Oliver scores on Julio Gotay’s base hit. Mejias then hits his homer to lead off the eighth and it’s tied 2-2 for the second time. St.Louis comes back in the bottom of the eighth with a lead-off single by Curt Flood and with two outs Stan Musial, 0-for-7 in the series, singles in Flood for the winning run and his 12th run batted in the young season.

April 27, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The Colt .45s are subjected to another low-hit loss (and another unearned run) as Milwaukee’s Bob Shaw throws a four-hitter and Houston goes down to a 2-1 defeat. The team entered the game with a .234 team batting average and the only run came on Jim Pendleton’s first homer of the season. The Colts other three hits were scattered by Shaw among Roman Mejias, Hal Smith and Bob Lillis. Losing pitcher Bobby Shantz (1-1) worked the first six innings and allowed six hits while striking out five. Amazingly, the little guy showed his defensive prowess once again with four more assists, (running his total to nine in three games). Milwaukee catcher Del Crandall singled in the Braves first run in the second, following a base hit by Joe Adcock. Pendleton’s home run tied the game in the fourth inning and Hank Aaron, after an error by Joey Amalfitano, tripled in the winning run.

April 28, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Milwaukee slugs the Colt.45s for 14 hits in a 9-3 win with most of the damage coming off starter Dave Giusti and Al Cicotte. Giusti (0-2) allowed five runs and seven hits in his 5.1 innings while Cicotte, working only 1.2 innings, is bombed for three runs and six hits. The Braves rolled up a four-run ninth inning off Cicotte and Jim Umbricht, with Mack Jones hitting the only home run of game with Hank Aaron aboard. Three Milwaukee players each had three-hits – Eddie Mathews, Denis Menke and Joe Torre. Al Spangler had a perfect night at the plate with a walk, three singles and a triple moving his average from .256 to .319. The weather was also perfect – 75 degrees, wind south at ten and the humidity a “low” 72%. Attendance: 22,501.

April 29, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Houston salvages the final game of the three-game series with Milwaukee on a ninth inning home run by Roman Mejias, 3-2. Starter Hal Woodeshick was lifted in the top of the ninth inning with the Colt.45s leading 2-1 after he gave up a single to Hank Aaron, a tying-run base hit by Joe Adcock and a walk to Frank Bolling. Turk Farrell (1-0) took over for Woodeshick and forced Adcock on Del Crandall’s ground ball to third baseman Bob Lillis. Don McMahon had relieved starter Lew Burdette in the eighth and after a scoreless inning served up the winning homer to Mejias (#4). The Colt.45s other two runs came on homers by Hal Smith and Jim Pendleton. The Colts finish the home stand with a 7-8 record in fifth place and five games out of first.

April 30, 1962 - OPEN DATE

May 1, 1962 - St.Louis, Sportsman’s Park

Dean Stone is knocked out in the first inning, allowing five runs, three walks and three hits while retiring only one batter as the Cardinals win 6-4. Stone (2-1) had started the season with two shutouts against Chicago, but was also KO’d in the fourth inning by the Cardinals in his last start – the tie game called by curfew after 17-innings on April 25th.

Jim Golden, Bob Bruce and Bobby Tiefenauer held the Red Birds to one run and four hits the remainder of the game, but the Colt.45s couldn’t catch up despite picking up nine hits off Ray Washburn. Jim Pendleton and Pidge Browne each drove in two runs with two RBI and Al Spangler chipped in two singles.

May 2, 1962 - St.Louis, Sportsman’s Park

The Cardinals Bob Gibson beats the Colt.45s for the second time, and in each case Ken Johnson (0-4) is the loser, 4-1. Gibson was on his game again following his two-hitter against Houston on April 26th . Jim Pendleton’s homer accounted for the only run off the 26-year-old righthander as he struck out nine while holding the Colts to five hits. It was a big strikeout game for Johnson also – he got ten Red Birds while allowing nine hits. St.Louis scored three of their runs in the fourth inning, one on Bill White’s homer, and the other two were unearned as the result of an error by Al Spangler.

May 3, 1962 - St.Louis, Sportsman’s Park

St.Louis completes a sweep of the three-game series with the Colts behind the pitching of veteran lefty Curt Simmons 4-0. Simmons entered the game with a 1.67 ERA and chalks up his fourth win without a loss. Houston starter Dave Giusti (0-3) was victimized by home runs from Bill White and Curt Flood in the first three innings. as the Cardinals built an early 3-1 lead. Only two runners reached second base off Simmons as he accounted for 15 ground-ball outs and spaced the seven hits to one-each in innings two-through-eight. Dick Gernert and Johnny Weekly hit safely twice, with Weekly’s two-bagger the only extra-base hit off Simmons. In the first six meetings with St.Louis the Colts have won one game, lost four and tied one. However, for the record, Stan Musial, who will 42 years old in November, and playing in his next to final season in the National League, has been held to only one hit 13 at-bats - little solace to a club with a 7-11 record as they fly to Milwaukee.

May 4, 1962 - Milwaukee, County Stadium

Trailing 4-0 going into the third the Colt .45s peck away and go on to beat Milwaukee 7-4. Hal Woodeshick, after his third straight win, gives up four Braves runs on three hits and a walk to the first four batters he faces and is KO’d after pitching only two-thirds of an inning. Bob Bruce relieves and allows only four hits ,while striking out ten before getting into trouble in the ninth. Dick Farrell takes over for Bruce (1-0) with runners on first and second and no-outs, and retires the next three Milwaukee batters, including two on strikes. Hal Smith and Jim Pendleton led the Houston offense, each going 2-for-4, each hitting a home run. Roman Mejias, whose batting average had dropped to .286, went 2-for-5 and added eight points to his season’s average.

May 5, 1962 - Milwaukee, County Stadium Braves right fielder Mack Jones homers with one out in the bottom of the 12th off Hal Woodeshick (2-1) to give Milwaukee a 6-5 win over the Colt .45s. Houston led 3-2 going into the eighth inning and solo homers by Norm Larker and Bob Aspromonte upped the lead to 5-2. However, both starting pitcher Dean Stone (two hits, two runs) and his relief Bobby Tiefenauer (two hits, one run) were knocked out in the bottom of the inning creating a 5-5 tie. Ken Johnson was called in to pitch and he allowed the 5th hit of the inning that scored the 3rd run. The game was played through intermittent rain on a fairly warm for Wisconsin (67 degrees) May afternoon before a house of 4,920. This was a big-hit day for both teams with Houston pounding out 17 and the Braves 13. Larker went 4-for-6 (homer, two doubles, single) and Aspromonte, who has been struggling at the plate all spring, going 4-for-6 (homer, double and two singles) finally pulling his average over the .200 mark.

May 6, 1962 - Milwaukee, County Stadium In the first game of a doubleheader, lefty Warren Spahn spins his magic over Houston, and catcher Del Crandall delivers a winning home run, breaking a tie in the fourth inning to put the Braves in the win column 3-2. Jim Golden (1-1) goes the distance for the Colt .45s and Roman Mejias drives in both runs with his club-leading fifth home run and 11th RBI - he also contributes two singles. Shortstop Bobby Lillis chips in with three singles.

Mejias continues his banner day in the nightcap with two more home runs and five runs batted in as the Colts clobber four Milwaukee pitchers 9-1 on a 12 hit attack to gain a split. Norm Larker and Pidge Browne also hit for the circuit with Browne adding a double and single. Turk Farrell had his 95 MHP-plus fast ball working, and as Loel Passe said, he breezed the Braves, not only one-more-time, but a total of eleven, pitching a four-hitter.

Following the game publicity director Bill Giles announces the first major trade of the season, with the Colt.45s acquiring outfielder Carl Warwick and pitcher John Anderson from St.Louis for Bobby Shantz.

The road trip to St.Louis and Milwaukee obviously was not a good one as the Colt.45s finish with a 2-5 mark. It’s back to Houston tomorrow to begin a seven-game home stand against Los Angeles and San Francisco. After 23 games the club a has record of 10-13 and currently is in 7th place, eight and one-half games out of first.

May 7, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium 19,860 turn out to see their team following a disastrous road trip and the Colts respond with a 9-6 win over Los Angeles. Dodgers rookie starter Joe Moeller is wild from the start, but his downfall comes on two errors giving the Colt.45s four unearned runs and a 5-0 lead. Los Angeles pecked away at starter Dave Guisti and finally KO’d him in the 6th. Al Cicotte relieved and gave up the base hit that gave LA a 6-5 lead. Houston stormed back in the seventh inning on Bob Aspromonte’s three-run homer, that capped a three-hit day for the third baseman and Johnny Weekly added another home run in the 8th. Bobby Tiefenauer pitched the last three innings picking up his first decision of the year.

May 8, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium The Colt.45s score two runs in the seventh inning to tie, but the Dodgers jump on Bobby Tiefenauer (1-1) for three runs in the 10th to win 9-6. Los Angeles came up with a 15-hit attack against five Houston pitchers called to the firing line by manager Harry Craft. Ken Johnson, still winless in four starts, is gone after working 2.2 innings. Sandy Koufax, in his eighth season with Brooklyn/Los Angeles, and a career record of 59-54, starts and leaves the game with a 6-4 lead. He was knocked out after 5.2 innings. The lefty gave up four runs, seven hits, walked two and struck out eight. Newly acquired Carl Warwick started in centerfield and singled in two official at-bats. He also drew a base on balls and was hit by a pitch. 18,138 watched.

May 9, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium Los Angeles leads all the way with 16 hits and the complete game pitching of Johnny Podres to down the Colt.45s 9-2. Dean Stone (2-2) making his sixth start continues to struggle and is relieved after 6.1 innings giving up four runs and eleven hits. Dave Giusti, moved to the bullpen after an 0-3 start, is also shelled in his one inning of relief allowing four runs. Catcher Merritt Ranew spoke up for most of Houston’s offense with two triples and a single, accounting for three of the club’s eight hits and scoring both of the Colt runs. The Colt.45s announced following the game the purchase of righthander Don McMahon from Milwaukee. The purchase price was not announced. General Manager Paul Richards said McMahon would be used exclusively out of the bullpen, the same capacity in which he spent all six of his major league seasons with the Braves.

May 10, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium Don Drysdale wins his 5th outing of the season as he spins a three-hitter in a 6-2 win over the Colt.45s. The two runs off the 25-year old veteran came on home runs by Roman Mejias and Carl Warwick. Mejias hit his 8th of the season in the first inning and Warwick picked up his first Houston round tripper in the ninth, giving him two for the season, the first coming with the Cardinals. The only other hit off Drysdale was a double by Merritt Ranew. Bob Bruce (1-1) struck out eight Dodgers but served up a three-run homer to LA second baseman Larry Burright following two bases on balls. The total crowd was announced as 21,999 - 6,923 were comps - and the weather was delightful - 75 degrees, clear, wind 20 MPH blowing out of left and, oh-yes, the humidity was 67%.

SPECIAL NOTE ON DON MCMAHON: Most of us around the game have used the term FIREMAN in relation to a pitcher used in relief exclusively. It was a term first given to Johnny (Grandma) Murphy who pitched for the Yankees 1932-1947 - probably around 1939-1941.

HOWEVER, there is a secondary meaning of FIREMAN in baseball lore established during the same period or earlier. A player who was a fast-dresser following the game was referred to as a FIREMAN (relating to the men in the firehouse who got out bed and dressed to get on the truck). In baseball it was -- game over, into clubhouse, uniform off, shower, into street clothes and out the door. I remember during McMahon’s tenure with the Braves he was known as the pace-setter with a record of four and-a-half minutes.

May 11, 1962 - Colt Stadium

Dick Farrell (3-2) completely mesmerizes San Francisco with a six hit, nine strikeout complete game victory 7-0 before 19,003. His pitching opponent, rookie Gaylord Perry, making the fifth start of his major league career, is knocked out in the second inning, giving up three runs, two of them coming on Carl Warwick’s double and a single by Bob Aspromonte. With Don Larsen pitching in the fifth both Merritt Ranew and Farrell unload solo homers off the veteran righthander, now in his 10th season. Farrell’s only tight spot came in the first inning when he walked Willie Mays with one out, gave up a single to Willie McCovey, struck out Orlando Cepeda swinging - on a double steal hit and run by Mays and McCovey - then walked Felipe Alou to load the bases. Farrell got out of the jam by getting Tom Haller on a pop out to third. Turk stranded eight men on base, three in scoring position.

May 12, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Before 26,311 at Colt Stadium Juan Marichal tosses a four-hitter and leads San Francisco to an 11-0 victory over Houston. Bob Lillis is the only Colt to reach second base off the Dominican righthander – he opened the sixth inning with a base hit and moved up on a walk to Norm Larker. Bob Aspromonte hit two singles off Marichal and Roman Mejias had the other base hit.

Houston starter Hal Woodeshick (2-2) was blasted out in the second inning allowing four runs and two bases on balls. That was only the beginning of a 13-hit evening for the Giants. Jim Golden who relieved Woody is removed after 3.1 innings in a six-run rally highlighted by Jim Davenport’s three-run homer. Only one of the runs was earned off Golden because of a Lillis error. San Francisco came up with six hits off Golden and John Anderson and Don McMahon finished the blow out, each working two innings, each giving up two hits. It was Anderson’s first appearance since being acquired from St.Louis on May 6. The club announced following the game that coach Jim Busby has been activated, but will maintain his duties as a coach for manager Harry Craft. Busby will be used as a backup catcher and outfielder as well as pinch hitter.

May 13, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Ken Johnson goes down to his fifth straight loss without a win as the Giants defeat the Colt .45s 7-2. Trailing 1-0, Johnson weakened in the sixth and his downfall was culminated on Jose Pagan’s two run home run that put him behind 5-0. Dave Giusti had his second poor day out of the bullpen, pitching the final three innings allowing two runs and six hits. The 22-year-old, like Johnson, was without a win in four starts before being moved to the pen. Houston did little to San Francisco starter Jack Sanford until he allowed his only two runs in the ninth. He had a three-hitter with one out until pinch hitter Al Spangler walked and Pidge Browne, also pinch hitting, singled. Roman Mejias drove in his club-leading 19th run with a double and Norm Larker came up with a base hit to score Mejias. The home stand ended with a 2-4 mark dropping the club to 8th place (in the 10-team circuit) 12 and one-half games out of first.

May 14, 1962 - OPEN DATE

16-year American League veteran infielder Billy Goodman, 11 years with the Red Sox and more recently with the White Sox, is signed as a free agent by the Colt .45s.

May 15, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

The Colt .45s jock Don Drysdale in the fourth inning but a late rally by Los Angeles turns into a 10-7 loss. The Dodgers had jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first but Houston banged out five runs and six hits off Drysdale for 5-1 lead, only to succumb to a six-run rally in the 7th on six hits off starter Bob Bruce, Bobby Tiefenauer and Don McMahon. The loss was charged to Tiefenauer (1-2).

Billy Goodman made his debut at third as Harry Craft moved Bob Aspromonte to short, which was Aspro’s primary position when he broke in with Los Angeles in 1960/61. Goodman batted second in the order and singled twice in five times at-bat. Norm Larker had three hits, one a double with an RBI and Carl Warwick produced a single and a two- bagger with two runs batted in. Shortstop Maury Wills drove in five runs in the Dodgers 12 hit attack, while the Colt.45 came up with 11 hits. Each team committed three errors.

May 16, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

Turk Farrell gets off to a wild start walking the first two batters, both score, and the Colt.45s never catch up losing to the Dodgers 5-2. Farrell (3-3) is lifted after six innings allowing all of the Dodgers five runs, five hits, four walks and a wild pitch. He struck out six, running his K total to 48 in 43 innings. Houston out hit LA 11-6 but stranded ten runners. Al Spangler and Roman Mejias each had three hits with Mejias picking up Houston’s only run batted in. The other Colt run scored on a Los Angeles error. Houston entered the game with a team batting average of .215.

May 17, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

The Dodgers rally from a four-run deficit to tie in the ninth inning and go on to win 5-4 in the 10th. This is a tough loss for both the club and starter Jim Golden. The ex-Dodger had a two-hit shutout going into the 9th but Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam singled to open the frame and Wally Moon doubled both home. Bobby Tiefenauer (1-3) lost his third straight relief appearance allowing the winning run in the 10th on three hits. The Colt .45s have now lost five in a row, their longest losing streak of the year, and also have dropped six straight to Los Angeles. Carl Warwick homered and Jim Pendleton, Norm Larker, Hal Smith and Joey Amalfitano had two hits each – Amalfitano snapped an O-for-14 (his average had fallen to .187) with a first inning single and then doubled in the 9th but was stranded. Shortstop Bob Lillis had a unique game, his scorecard read five putouts to the outfield – 7,7,9,8,8.

May 18, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

The Colt .45s snap their five-game losing streak behind Ken Johnson’s four-hitter in knocking off the Giants 3-2 in ten innings. This is Johnson’s first win of the year following five defeats and a six-game ERA of 4.16. Johnson trailed the Giants 1-0 after the second inning when he gave up two hits and two walks. Norm Larker tied the game in the 5th inning with his fourth homer of the year and in the sixth inning a walk to Joey Amalfitano, Al Spangler’s base hit, an error on Willie McCovey and a sacrifice fly by Roman Mejias put the Colt.45s out in front 2-1. Following the early lead in the second inning Johnson retired 20 batters while giving up two harmless walks, in taking a two hitter into the ninth. After striking out Orlando Cepeda, McCovey’s home run tied it up 2-2.

Carl Warwick led off the 10th inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice by pinch hitter Merritt Ranew and Bob Aspromonte accounted for the second out on a ground ball. Joey Amalfitano was walked intentionally to get to Johnson, and it might be of interest to look at Johnson’s batting record for the young season as he stepped to the plate to face Jack Sanford – K,DP,K,K,K,K,K,K,K,6-3,K,F2,and 8 – that’s O-for-13 and Harry Craft leeaves Johnson in to hit for himself - he singles to drive in Warwick with the lead run 3-2. Johnson (1-5) gave up his fourth hit to Tom Haller to open the bottom of the 10th then salted the away the win with three ground ball outs.

May 19, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

6-3, 195 pound George Witt, making his first start for the Colt .45s, is cashiered with one out in the second inning by the Giants after giving up four runs on a walk and three hits. His blow-out was the beginning of a 14 hit rout and a 10-2 San Francisco victory. It was Witt’s 14th major league loss against 11 wins in his six seasons while pitching previously with the Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. Dave Guisti, following an 0-3 record as a starter, continues to follow the same ineffectiveness out of the bullpen with his third bad relief appearance. The 22-year-old rookie allowed five runs in his 4.2 innings and three of them came on three solo home runs in the 7th by Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda and Ed Bailey. Mays jumped on Houston pitching for four hits in five trips for eight total bases. The Colt .45s scored both their runs in the seventh on a single by Jim Pendleton, a triple by Bob Aspromonte and a pinch single by Jim Busby, his first at-bat since his recent activation and he remained in the game to catch the last inning.

A TEST OF YOUR BASEBALL GRAY MATTER.

This test is prompted by Boston pitcher Derek Lowe’s no-hitter recently. Lowe is the 11th to pitch a no-hit game in Fenway Park since it opened in 1912. Fenway is now in its 91st year of playing host to those eleven gems, however ONE of the eleven was unique in a way (to my knowledge) as the only one in history to hold this distinction.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT – NAME THAT GAME AND WHY IT WAS SO UNIQUE

May 20, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

The Colt .45s get out in front early and manage to stave off a late push by the Giants and hold on for a 6-5 win in the opening game of a doubleheader. An error on third baseman Jim Davenport leads to a first inning run on hits by Norm Larker and Carl Warwick. The club then opened a 5-1 lead in the third as Juan Marichal is battered - four runs on another hit by Larker and run-scoring singles by Joey Amalfitano and Bob Bruce. Bruce (2-1) coasted into the 9th with a four-hitter but surrendered two runs before Dick Farrell bailed him out. Turk got Chuck Hiller on a sac-fly then struck out Willie Mays. Bruce gave up six bases on balls, struck out six and was touched with a solo home run by Willie McCovey on his way to a six-hitter. Houston banged out 11 hits with Roman Mejias and Bob Aspromonte getting two each as did Larker and Warwick.

In the nightcap before 40,932 the Colts lose 7-4 to veteran lefthander Billy Pierce, in his first season with Giants following 15 years in the American League with the White Sox and Tigers. This was Pierce’s sixth win in six starts giving him 195 career victories. Hal Woodeshick (2-3) gave Pierce plenty of breathing room as Woody was lifted in the first inning leaving behind six runs, five hits and three walks after facing only seven batters. Aspromonte led the Colt.45s with three hits, two RBI on his 3rd home run and two singles. Aspro raised his average to .281 after hitting a low of .178. The Colts finished another lousy road trip 2-5 but managed to hold on to 8th place (two games out of sixth) - 12 and-a-half games from the top.

May 21, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Colt .45s starter Jim Golden (2-1) despite an early deficit, pitches a complete game victory 3-2 over the New York Mets. Down 2-0 after two innings, Houston tied the game in the third. Don Buddin tripled to open the inning, scored on Golden’s grounder to first, and after Al Spangler singled, then stole second, Buddin scored on Billy Goodman’s base hit. This prompted NY manager Casey Stengel to lift starter Dave Hillman and bring in Vinegar Bend Mizell. Mizell held the tie until the eighth when pinch hitter Jim Pendleton tripled and scored on Roman Mejias’ sacrifice fly. Golden held on for the complete game win despite allowing two hits in the ninth.

May 22, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Dick Farrell (4-3) gives up ten hits while pitching his third complete game in five starts in a 3-2 win over New York. Turk fell behind 1-0 in the fourth but Roman Mejias countered with a solo home run (#9) to tie in the bottom of the inning. The .45s snapped the tie in the 8th scoring two runs after two outs on Billy Goodman’s single, Mejias second hit of the game and a triple by Norm Larker, also his second hit. Farrell was touched for one run and three hits in the ninth but left two batters stranded for a total of nine Mets left on base.

May 23, 1962 - Colt Stadium

Ken Johnson throws his second straight complete game, a five-hit gem against Cincinnati 2-0. The 28-year-old righthander was coming off a 10 inning 3-2 four-hitter over San Francisco - it moved his record to 2-5 and lowered his ERA in the past two games from 4.16 to 3.11. He bested Bob Purkey, one of the hottest pitchers in the league, who also went the distance for his first loss of the season after seven wins. The Colts scored their first run in the fourth on Norm Larker’s single and a two-base hit by Carl Warwick. Houston scored their final run in the eighth on Don Buddin’s double and Al Spangler’s single. Houston’s last four wins have been 3-2, 6-5, 3-2 and 2-0.

May 24, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Joey Jay, a 6-4 230 pound righthander, off a 21 win season with the Reds in 1961, shuts out the Colt .45s 5-0 for his sixth win on a six-hitter. On the Houston side, starter George Witt (0-2) is removed in the fifth inning after allowing two runs and six hits. His relief, Dave Giusti, lasted only 2.1 innings as Cincinnati punished him with three runs and six hits. In Giusti’s last three relief appearances he has allowed 17 hits and 10 runs in 12 innings. Jay literally hung the Colts offense out to dry except for Al Spangler (2-for-2) and Merritt Ranew (2-for-4). Ranew was the lone runner to reach third base hitting his fifth triple of the year in the seventh inning. Cincinnati spewed 14 hits off four Houston throwers led by Don Blasingame’s perfect day at the plate, two singles a double and a triple.

May 25, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Houston and Pittsburgh battle for three hours and 51 minutes through 13 innings before pinch hitter Johnny Logan singles in Bob Skinner for a 4-3 Bucs win. Elroy Face, the diminutive 5'8" 155-pound righty, who over his first eight seasons with the Pirates has saved 92 games and won 66, is the winning pitcher working five innings. Bobby Tiefenauer (1-4) lost after starter Bob Bruce was removed in the eighth. Roman Mejias hit his 10th home run driving in two of the Colt.45s runs giving him 24 for the year - both numbers lead the club. Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda are tied for the league lead with 13 homers each and Cepeda leads the league with 44 RBI.

May 26, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Jim Golden (3-1) pitches his third complete game in four starts while shutting out Pittsburgh 2-0. Golden allowed no walks and gave up only three hits, facing the minimum three batters in each of six innings and retiring the final 13 batters in order. In his last two games his earned run average has dropped from 2.53 to 1.80. The .45s scored both of their runs in the third off loser Bob Friend on a walk, a hit batter and singles by Norm Larker and Hal Smith.

May 27, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

On a steamy Sunday afternoon with the game temperature standing at 88 degrees 32-year old Vern Law, in his eleventh season with the Pirates, goes the distance and knocks off the Colts 7-2. Ken Johnson (2-6) retired the first ten Bucs before falling victim to four errors, five unearned runs in the middle innings and a five-run deficit. Prior to that disastrous point Houston had led 2-0. Hal Smith picked up two of the club’s eight hits with Norm Larker and Jim Pendleton driving the two runs. The game ended a 4-3 home stand before 11,793 leaving the Colts with a 17-27 record, in seventh place and 14 and-a-half games out of first.

May 28, 1962 - Cincinnati, Crosley Field

Reds pitcher Joey Jay wins his second complete game over Houston winning 9-6 despite allowing 11 hits, five of them coming in the ninth inning when the .45s five-run rally fell three runs short. Cincinnati had built a six run lead off starter Turk Farrell (4-4) and reliever John Anderson in the first three innings, the two allowing nine hits, among them a home run by Don Zimmer (off Farrell). During the early thrashing by the Reds Jay had two hits prior to his two-run home run off Bobby Tiefenauer. Roman Mejias’ home run in the rally-short ninth was a three run blast to cap his day following a single and double.

May 29, 1962 - OPEN DATE

May 30, 1962 - Chicago, Wrigley Field

It was a long and windy afternoon as two “so-so” clubs battled through 14 innings, losing all thoughts of where they were in the standings and each eager for a victory. In the end the Colt .45s prevailed 8-6 as a walk to Roman Mejias, a stolen base and Carl Warwick’s double gave Houston enough to win. The starting pitchers, Dean Stone and Cal Koonce, both were history by 2:30 p.m., and a total of seven more twirlers would see action before Dave Giusti (1-3) and Barney Schultz (3-2) went into the won-lost columns. The game had been tied at 6-6 following Mejias home run in the seventh inning, complementing a two-run shot hit Joey Amaliftano in the third, his first homer of the year. Houston had only two hits for the next six innings and Chicago managed only one. Giusti had entered the game in the sixth and pitched the final nine innings - three hits, two walks, four strike outs and two runners left on base. It was a brilliant outing by the 22-year-old rookie after losing his first three starts and being sent to the bull pen. It gave Giusti, signed as a free agent out of Syracuse University a year ago, the opportunity to finally call his family in Mattydale, New York with the news he had won his first major league game.

May 31, 1962 - Chicago, Wrigley Field

A total of five home runs are hit on this windy afternoon but the big blast comes in the ninth by Jim Pendleton with two men on base. It gives the Colt .45s a 10-6 come from behind win and a sweep of the two-game series. Down to Chicago 6-5 going into the final inning Merritt Ranew opens the rally with a pinch hit and Chicago pitchers walk two batters to load the bases for Carl Warwick. He drives in what proves to be the winning runs and moments later Pendleton provides the coup de grace. Neither starter, Dick Ellsworth nor Bob Bruce, are around at the finish with Don McMahon (1-1) the winner and Don Elston (2-2) the loser. Hal Smith accounted for Houston’s other homer while Ken Hubbs, Ron Santo and Lou Brock homered for the Cubs.

June 1, 1962 - Pittsburgh, Forbes Field

The Pirates run rough-shod over five Houston pitchers and post an 8-4 victory. Pittsburgh built an early lead off Jim Golden (3-2) and reliever John Anderson and led 7-1 after four innings. The .45s hit Bucs pitching early with 12 hits but manager Danny Murtaugh called on his bullpen ace Elroy Face for the final three innings. Roberto Clemente and Smokey Burgess caused most of the Colts pain accounting for six of the Pirates hits. Houston pitchers had held Clemente hitless in his first ten trips in their meetings last week but today was a different story - he went three-for-four including a double and home run. For the .45s, Roman Mejias, Norm Larker and Hal Smith each had two hits.

June 2, 1962 - Pittsburgh, Forbes Field

Despite allowing ten hits Vern Law pitches his second win over Houston in six days 9-2. It was the Pirates seventh win in a row on a hitters day but not a fielders day – the two teams totaled 22 hits and committed six errors. .45s starter Dick Farrell (4-5) was lifted after four innings, giving up four runs in the first inning, three of those coming on Roberto Clemente’s home run. Dick Stuart also homered later off John Anderson. Al Spangler ripped off three hits including a double and his first home run of the year while Roman Mejias went 2-for-5 to raise his average to and even .300. This was Pittsburgh’s 15th victory in 21 games at Forbes Field.

June 3, 1962 - Pittsburgh, Forbes Field

The Colt .45s put on a dazzling display of offense as they smash the Pirates with a total of 31 hits and sweep both ends of a doubleheader 10-6 and 10-3. The double win gives the club a 4-3 record on the completed seven game road trip. The Pirates jumped on starter Dave Giusti in the opener for five runs in the first four innings, four of the runs coming on a three-run homer by Bucs starting pitcher Harvey Haddix and the other on a solo home run by Smokey Burgess. Roman Mejias tied the game in the seventh with his 13th home run and the Colts scored four more runs in the eighth, never trailing Pittsburgh throughout the remainder of the twin bill. Bobby Tiefenauer (2-4) chalked up the win.

The .45s wasted no time in the nightcap by scoring seven runs in the first inning and moving on to their sweep 10-3. Ken Johnson (3-6) loved the security of the big lead and coasted to his third complete game allowing seven hits while striking out five. Bob Skinner accounted for one of the runs for the Pirates with a home run. Mejias hit safely in both games upping his consecutive streak to 10 games and raising his average to .311. He hit safely in his final four at-bats in the opener and tripled in the first inning of the second game. Carl Warwick went 6-for-10 and pushed his average to a club leading .313. 24,282 sat through a long, warm and frustrating afternoon at Forbes Field as Houston stopped the Pirates seven game winning streak.

The Colt.45s return to Houston following the twin-win still in seventh place, 16 games out of first with a record of 22-29.

June 4, 1962 - OPEN DATE

June 5, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Bob Bruce (3-1) knocks off Milwaukee 7-1 for the second time this season while pitching his first complete game. Bruce struck out ten Braves cutting down each batter in the lineup at least once except for Eddie Mathews. Houston hit safely 13 times off Milwaukee pitching running their consecutive game string of double-digit hitting to six. Al Spangler led off the Houston offense with a first inning home run and the club went on to score two runs in each of the first three innings. Seven different players for the Colts drove in one run each with Spangler getting two on his homer and single. Both Roman Mejias (11) and Carl Warwick (10) hit safely to continue their consecutive game hitting streaks.

June 6, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The Braves led all the way in this one as the 35-year-old Lew Burdette (3-4) wins it 6-3 while giving up 12 hits. It’s the 7th straight game Houston has been in double figures in hits, however the won-lost record over that period is only 4-3. Jim Golden (3-3) pitched seven innings allowing seven hits and four runs while Bobby Tiefenauer finished, giving up the final two runs. This was Golden’s second defeat by the Braves. Henry Aaron doubled, tripled and drove in two of Milwaukee’s runs with Del Crandall also contributing two RBI. Joey Amalfitano tripled in two of the Colt runs and Roman Mejias hit his 14th home run in the 8th to complete the scoring. Both Mejias and Carl Warwick extended their hitting streaks to 12 and 11 respectively.

June 7, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Dick Farrell and Warren Spahn hook up in a dandy as Houston comes from behind in the ninth to win 3-2. With the Braves leading 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Spahn, who had given up only five hits, immediately runs into trouble when Jim Pendleton opens with a base hit. After retiring Roman Mejias on a foul fly to left fielder Gus Bell Norm Larker keeps things alive with another hit and Al Spangler enters as a pinch runner. Spahn eased things a bit for the Braves picking up the second out by retiring Carl Warwick on a fly to right fielder Mack Jones. Merritt Ranew then quickly singles in Pendleton with the tying run, and with Bob Aspromonte on deck Manager Birdie Tebbetts elects to lift Spahn (6-6). Tebbetts replaces him with rookie righthander Hank Fischer. Harry Craft counters with Billy Goodman to pinch hit for Aspro and Goodman drives in Spangler with the winning run. Don McMahon (2-1) is the winning pitcher. Mejias hit his 15th home run and singled off Spahn to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. Carl Warwick stayed alive right behind with 12 straight.

June 8, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Tied since the eighth inning at 2-2 on Frank Howard’s home run, Los Angeles pushes over the winning run in typical Dodgers fashion in the 13th on a walk to Maury Wills, a steal of second, a steal of third and a sacrifice fly by Willie Davis for a 4-3 victory over the Colt .45s. Sandy Koufax and Ken Johnson were the starters with Johnson pitching through the ninth and giving way to Don McMahon (2-2). With one out in the sixth LA manager Walter Alston lifts Koufax and brings in Ed Roebuck. Koufax had given up only two hits but was taken out following his third base on balls to Norm Larker. Roebuck, facing Carl Warwick gave up another walk then a single to Merritt Ranew to put Houston out in front 3-2. Warwick finished the evening 0-for-6 snapping his 12-game hitting string, but Roman Mejias singled off Koufax in the fourth to keep his streak alive at 14 games.

June 9, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Bob Bruce (4-1) goes the distance in an easy 13-1 victory over Los Angeles. Tommie Davis’ club leading 12th home run in the second inning is the only marker off Bruce in his seven-hit, four strikeout and three walk performance. Aside from the eighth when pinch hitters Daryl Spencer and Lee Walls opened the inning with singles, Bruce had a breeze through the afternoon. Meanwhile, Bruce was backed up by three two-run homers by Roman Mejias (16th), Carl Warwick (4th) and Bob Aspromonte (4th) in a 13 hit attack off three Dodgers pitchers, Stan Williams (6-2), Ed Roebuck and Phil Ortega. All three of LA’s pitchers worked in the fifth inning when Houston scored eight runs with both Mejias’ and Aspros’ home runs coming in the inning. Mejias’ homer kept his hitting streak alive at 15 games. All ten players for the Colts drove in at least one run, except for Bob Lillis who singled twice, walked and reached on an error. Bruce got into the RBI act driving in his third run of the year and Pidge Browne (batting for Lillis) also drove in his third of the season.

June 10, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Los Angeles sweeps a doubleheader from Houston 9-3 and 9-7 on a Sunday afternoon played under partly cloudy skies on the hottest day so far this year. Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale obviously undaunted by the searing heat pitches a complete game six-hitter in the opener while six Colt.45s pitchers struggle through the two-hour and forty-five minute affair. LA jumped on starter Jim Golden (3-4) early and aside from Dean Stone, who walked the only two batters he faced, all pitchers were responsible for the Dodger hit carnage that totaled 17. Houston was never in the game following a two-run home run by Bob Aspromonte in the second as Los Angeles exploded for seven runs in the next three innings.

The total crowd of 33,221 (30,127 paid) had begun to dwindle in the late stages of the first game because of the heat. The temperature at game time (1:30) was 90 degrees with the humidity at 75% and the light warm breeze of 8-miles per hour blowing in from the Gulf added little or no relief to the fans. With no protection from the sun in the roofless stadium many fans were beginning to feel the effects of the heat, either already falling victim to the oppressive torture or just leaving the park.

In the second game Houston behind the pitching of Hal Woodeshick (2-4) and his relief George Witt had given the Dodgers a 9-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. Even a grand slam by Don Buddin that inning hardly gave the Colt.45s much prospect of eventually pulling close enough to challenge as they dropped the nightcap 9-7. It was a rough day for the ball club in all facets as Roman Mejias, who went 1-for-4 in the opener was held hitless in five at-bats in the second game and his 16-game hitting streak was stopped by Joe Moeller and Ron Perranoski.

Following the game it was estimated 75 to 80 fans had been overcome in various degrees by the heat. With the only shade available within blocks of the stadium – back and under the grandstand - many fans took refuge there where the most seriously affected were being cared for by medics.

June 11, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Dick Farrell (4-6) and lefty Al Jackson (3-7) hook up in a good pitching dual with New York and Jackson winning 3-1. The game was scoreless until the fifth when the Mets put together a walk, a triple by Sammy Taylor and Jim Hickman’s single for a 2-0 lead. Doubles by Norm Larker and Merritt Ranew scored Houston’s only run in the bottom of the inning. A base on balls and Charlie Neal’s single accounted for the final run of the game in the sixth. Farrell gave New York only six hits while striking out nine Mets and walking four. The .45s picked up seven hits off Jackson but fell victim to three New York double plays.

June 12, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Houston down 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth rallies for the winning runs and a 3-2 victory over New York. Ken Johnson (4-6) worked his fourth complete game with a five hitter and nine strike outs. The Colts took an early lead in the second inning on a walk, an error and Bob Lillis’ base hit. The Mets came back to tie in the sixth and added two more in the seventh to take the lead. With one out in the ninth manager Harry Craft calls on two pinch hitters, Billy Goodman batted for Lillis and Pidge Browne hit for Johnson – both produced for a 2-2 tie – Goodman singled and Browne tripled. Roman Mejias, sitting out his second straight game, was sent in to run for Browne and Manager Casey Stengel called for an intentional pass to Al Spangler. Joey Amalfitano ended the game with his second hit of the evening this one off Craig Anderson (3-6) and the first off starter Bob Miller.

June 13, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium - POSTPONED

June 14, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Houston’s Bob Bruce tosses his fifth win against only one defeat going the distance in a 10-2 victory over the Mets. New York starter Jay Hook (4-7) failed to retire a batter as the Colt .45s tally seven runs in the first inning. In that frame the Colts pick up six hits among them a two-run home run by Carl Warwick. Bruce struck out seven batters and walked eight – never allowing more than one walk an inning until the ninth when he walked the bases loaded after two were out. Now he was facing Marv Throneberry, who in his previous four plate appearances had homered, walked, singled and singled again accounting for three of the six hits off Bruce. The 6-3 righthander has the pleasure of getting the final putout of the game when Throneberry grounds to Norm Larker.

The .45s finish their home stand with six-wins and four-losses moving their record to 26-34 for the season. The club is currently in seventh place 14 and-a-half games out of first.

June 15, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

Jim Golden (4-4) catches up with Los Angeles and does it in grand style with a five-hit 2-0 shutout working against Don Drysdale (10-4). Golden had been ripped by the Dodgers on June 10th when he was Ko'd in the third inning. In tonight’s performance he walked no one and from the third inning to the sixth retired 10 in row and allowed only two hits from that point on. The Colt .45s scored in the first on lead off singles by Al Spangler and Joey Amalfitano and a base hit by Norm Larker, then tallied their other marker in the 8th on a triple by Bob Lillis and an infield grounder by Golden - the play at the plate was too late to catch Lillis. It was an especially gratifying win for Golden following his purchase from Los Angles in the expansion draft.

June 16, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

Dick Farrell (5-6) pitches the .45s to a 4-1 win over Los Angeles before 45,146 fans at Dodger Stadium. The 6’4” righthander didn’t walk a batter while allowing LA only three hits. After giving up a two-out single to Willie Davis in the first inning Turk retired the next 13 batters in order before Willie got to Farrell again with a three base hit to open the seventh. Farrell faced only 30 Dodgers in his fourth complete game. Houston scored an unearned run off starter Johnny Podres (3-6) in the fourth inning on an error by Maury Wills and a double by Carl Warwick. In the sixth inning Jim Pendleton doubled and Norm Larker singled him in. The Colts scored their final two runs in the seventh off Ed Roebuck who hit a batter and walked another before Ron Perranoski entered and gave up a pinch single to Al Spangler.

June 17, 1962 - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium

Ken Johnson (4-7) and his relief Dean Stone are roughed up for 12 hits and the Dodgers go on to a 6-2 win over the .45s. Bob Aspromonte’s solo home run and base hits by Al Spangler and Joey Amalfitano gave Houston an early 2-0 lead in the third inning but that would be the extent of the club’s scoring. Bob Lillis picked up two singles among the four hits off starter Joe Moeller. Ed Roebuck (4-0) relieved Moeller and was the winning pitcher despite giving up three hits and two walks when the Dodgers batted around to score five runs in the sixth. The big blow in the inning was a three-run homer off Johnson by Tommy Davis as he added to his club leadership in both home runs (12) and RBI(68).

June 18, 1962 - OPEN DATE

June 19, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

The .45s knock out Billy O’Dell (7-6) after 2.1 innings with seven hits and three runs then move on to a 6-4 victory over the Giants. Jim Pendleton’s double and a run-scoring single by Hal Smith was followed by a two-base hit by Bob Aspromonte and a single by Bob Lillis. Don Larsen allowed two runs in the 6th when Aspromonte and Lillis each picked up their second hits and Lillis’ third run batted in. Joey Amalfitano doubled and Roman Mejias, making his first start since June 10th, hung up his 43rd RBI with a sacrifice fly. Hal Smith concluded the scoring with a home run in the seventh.

June 20, 1962 - San Francisco, Candlestick Park

Houston gets rolling early against Juan Marichal and continues against Bob Miller (3-2) to score a 9-5 win over San Francisco. Roman Mejias conks Marichal with his 17th homer in the first inning and in the third Norm Larker unloads a three-run blast off the Giants ace. San Francisco came back to tie 5-5 after six innings off starter Bob Bruce and Dean Stone (3-2). However, in the top of the 7th the Colts wrap it up with three runs on four walks off Miller (two intentional) a single by Joey Amalfitano and a two-run pinch double by Pidge Browne. Amalfitano came up with his second hit a triple and scored on a passed ball by Tom Haller. Stone, who has struggled since almost the beginning of the season racked up the win working 5.1 innings allowing three runs (two of them on a homer by Haller) three walks and five strikeouts. A note here on the defense - Hal Smith committed a throwing error in the sixth on an attempted steal of third - the .45s had played 31 innings without a boot.

June 21, 1962 - OPEN DATE

June 22, 1962 - New York, Polo Grounds

Al Jackson pitches the Mets to a stunning one-hitter to beat the Colt .45s 2-0 in the first game of a doubleheader and the Colts come back to take the nightcap 16-3. In the opener with one out in the first inning, the native of Waco now making his home in Houston, gives up his only hit of the game to Joey Amalfitano - a single. After striking out Roman Mejias, Jackson (4-8) walks Norm Larker before Carl Warwick strikes out to end the inning. The next 22 batters to face Jackson are retired in order - no Colt .45 would reach base until Pidge Browne draws a lead off walk as a pinch hitter in the ninth. Ironically, Dick Farrell’s (5-7) loss is his second to Jackson (3-1 June 11) in that game both pitchers also went the distance. This game had we known at the time was over after Mets lead off hitter Ritchie Ashburn homered in the first inning. Farrell allowed only two hits after Ashburn’s home run and the second run off Farrell was scored in the seventh on a walk to Ashburn and a base hit by Felix Mantilla.

The second game could be likened to the story, “The girl I left behind.” Houston after losing a one-hitter used the hits they left behind in the opener and clobbered New York 16-3 banging out 17 hits. The Colt.45s smashed four home runs off four Mets pitchers with starter Bob Miller (0-5) and Vinegar Bend Mizell taking the brunt of the onslaught. Eight different Colts drove in a least one run with Merritt Ranew topping the list with three RBI - one a two-run home run. Others taking advantage of the Polo Grounds foul poles 279 in left and 257 in right were Roman Mejias (#18), Carl Warwick and Jim Pendleton. Jim Golden (5-4) worked a complete game seven hitter with seven strike outs, but was more proud of his hitting - going 3-for-5 including a measly single, two triples and two runs batted in.

June 23, 1962 - New York, Polo Grounds

Starter Ken Johnson (4-8) and his relief Dean Stone are blasted early by the Mets allowing a total of 11 runs and 12 hits in the first five innings and New York goes on to a 13-2 win. Johnson gives up seven runs and six hits in 2.1 innings and Stone working 2.2 innings allows four runs and six hits. Ritchie Ashburn homered off each pitcher with Joe Christopher socking a solo homer off Stone. Working with that big lead Mets starter Jay Hook (5-8) sailed through all nine innings with an 8-hitter. Al Spangler opened the game with a home run and Carl Warwick, Merritt Ranew and Bob Aspromonte strung together three singles for the other Houston run in the sixth.

Following the game the Colt .45s announce the trade of Dean Stone to the White Sox for righthand relief pitcher 38-year-old Russ Kemmerer. He brings a 2-1 record from Chicago with an earned run average of 3.86. Kemmerer is a seven-year veteran of the American League, previously playing for the Red Sox and Washington with a lifetime record of 38-56 and an ERA of 4.46. Because of roster restraints Kemmerer will not immediately be activated. Stone leaves the Colts with a 3-2 mark after opening the season with two shutouts over the Cubs. He was moved to the bullpen on May 16 with little success and finished with an ERA of 4.47 making seven starts and five relief appearances.

The club also announced the signing of 20-year old All-American college shortstop Ernie Fazio out of Santa Clara. The 5-7 165 pound right hand hitting infielder will join the club immediately.

June 24, 1962 - New York, Polo Grounds

Both games of today’s doubleheader are postponed following a long rain delay with one out in the bottom of the third inning of the opener with the score tied at 3-3. Bob Bruce and Roger Craig had started with Bruce KO'd in the first. Norm Larker hit a three-run homer in the top of the 3rd to tie the game. However, none of the records are official and the game will be replayed in its entirety.

June 25, 1962 - Philadelphia, Connie Mack Stadium

The Phillies snap a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth to win their fifth straight game from the .45s 4-3. Starter Hal Woodeshick (2-5) was taken out after a lead single by Bobby Wine to open the ninth and was relieved by Don McMahon. Philadelphia pitcher Dallas Green (2-2) laid down a sacrifice and Tony Taylor drove in the winning run with a double. All three of Houston’s runs came in the fourth inning when Phils starter Cal McLish served up Roman Mejias’ 19th home run putting him only two behind Willie Mays who has a league leading 21. Norm Larker singled and Carl Warwick doubled to score Larker and Bob Aspromonte singled in Warwick to account for the Colts' third run.

June 26, 1962 - Philadelphia, Connie Mack Stadium

Philadelphia scores two runs off Dick Farrell (5-8) in the second inning and the lead holds up as Phillies rookie pitcher Jack Hamilton (5-5) shuts out the Colt.45s 2-0 in the first game of a doubleheader. The Phils go on to sweep the twin bill by winning the nightcap 6-4. In the opener while Hamilton was pitching a two-hitter Farrell gave up only three hits and strangely all five hits in the game came in the first two innings. Hamilton gave up singles to Roman Mejias in the first and to Carl Warwick in the second while all three hits off Farrell come on a double by Clay Dahlrymple and an RBI base hit by Don Demeter. Joe Torre added the third hit and Demeter scored later on a Farrell wild pitch.

Between games Houston announced some roster changes. Russ Kemmerer recently acquired from the White Sox for Dean Stone is activated along with pitcher Dick Drott. Drott a righthander had been at Oklahoma City of the American Association since the start of the season after being drafted from the Cubs in the 1961 expansion draft for $75,000. He was 3-1 with the Colts Triple-A 89ers with an ERA of 4.50. At the same time John Anderson who came to the .45s with Carl Warwick on May 6th in exchange for Bobby Shantz was sold back to the Cardinals organization and was sent to Rochester (International League).

The Colt .45s broke a 21-inning scoreless streak in the second game scoring two runs in the eighth after Philadelphia had piled up a 6-0 lead but the Phillies go on to a 6-4 sweep. The double loss ran Houston’s winless string against the Phils to seven in a row. Jim Golden (5-5) suffered the loss giving up five runs and six hits in 3.1 innings. Art Mahaffey (9-8) was the winner going the distance with a seven-hitter - five of which came in the 8th and 9th innings. A single by Carl Warwick and pinch hits by Jim Pendleton (triple) and Billy Goodman (double) produced two runs in the eighth and Warwick hit a two-run homer in the ninth after a base hit by Hal Smith. On their eleven game road trip the club won five and lost six dropping them into 8th place 16 games out of first.

June 27, 1962 - OPEN DATE

On this off day before opening a home stand with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh the Colts announce the purchase of Of/1B Bob Cerv from the Yankees. The 6-0, 200 pound Cerv is 36 years old and is in his 12th major league season, nine of which he has spent with New York. Four years with Kansas City and a partial season with the Dodgers round out his ML tenure. Cerv has seen little action with the Bronx Bombers this season (batting .118 2-for-17) but manager Harry Craft has indicated he will start the veteran in left field in the first game of the home stand with the Reds.

June 28, 1962 - OPEN DATE

June 29, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

On an evening with the humidity at game time a high for the season at 97% Cincinnati’s Jim O’Toole (6-9) spins a four-hit shutout against the Colt .45s 4-0. Roman Mejias picks up three of the four hits, one a double, as he raises his average to .303. The only other hit by Houston is a single by Bob Aspromonte. Starter Ken Johnson (4-9) lasts six innings allowing eight hits, all four of the Reds runs, one walk a hit batter with six strike outs. Frank Robinson drives in two of Cincinnati’s runs with Eddie Kasko and Jerry Lynch batting in one each. Bob Cerv makes his debut with the Colts in left field and goes 0-for-3 committing the only error of the game.

June 30, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The .45s score six runs in the third inning off Reds starter Jim Maloney (2-3) and go on to a 7-3 victory over Cincinnati in a game called at the end of the top of the 7th because of fog. Bob Bruce (6-1) picks up the win with his fourth complete game. Houston sent eleven batters to the plate in the 3rd with five hits and runs batted in by Mejias (#48), Carl Warwick, Bob Aspromonte, Bruce and two by Al Spangler. Warwick drove in the seventh run in the sixth inning. The .45s had ten hits in the shortened game with everyone hitting safely except Don Buddin. Reds manager Freddie Hutchinson goes ballistic when umpire Jocko Conlon calls the game without the necessary delay stating to Hutchinson it was “an act of God”. Hutchinson announced he was protesting the game. The early finish allowed .45s manager Harry Craft to head immediately to the hospital and be on hand to be with his wife Nellie as she gives birth to daughter Carol Anne who weighed in at six pounds one ounce.

July 1, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Cincinnati pitcher Joey Jay (11-7) throws his third straight victory over the .45s 6-1. He goes the distance for the ninth time this season and stymies Houston to one run on a nine hitter. That one run comes on a single by Bob Aspromonte and a pinch hit by Bob Cerv. With Cerv on first Al Spangler lines a hit to right field that eludes Frank Robinson - then the fun began - Cerv, slow-footed as he is, lumbers around third in an attempt to score. He doesn’t make it. He is thrown out Robinson, to first baseman Gordy Coleman to catcher John Edwards amid the laughter and futile urging of the Colts dugout for that extra run. Spangler was wrongly given a triple by the official scorer - under scoring rules it should have been scored a double - but it remains a triple today in not only Al’s eyes (who missed the fun on his way to third) but in the official stats. Cerv’s gamble didn’t pay off but if you gambled and played poker on the attendance you won if you had 6,666.

July 2, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Pittsburgh rallys for three runs in the seventh inning off Hal Woodeshick (2-6) to win the opening game of the four-game series 4-2. The Colts had led 2-0 since the second when they scored twice off Bucs starter Bob Friend (8-8) on a double by Joey Amalfitano, singles by Roman Mejias and a sacrifice fly by Carl Warwick. Bob Skinner drove in the tying and winning runs with a pinch hit single and Dick Stuart hit his 11th home run in the ninth to help seal the Pirates win. Mejias and Bob Aspromonte each picked up three singles as Mejias raised his club leading batting average to .311.

July 3, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The Pirates Harvey Haddix (7-3) holds the .45s to five hits as the Bucs rattle Ken Johnson (4-10) with his fourth straight loss with ten singles and a double for a 5-2 victory before 10,729 fans. The Colts had back-to-back home runs by Jim Pendleton and Bob Aspromonte in the second inning but could garner only three hits the rest of the way against Haddix and his relief Roy Face. Recent free agent signing Ernie Fazio made his major league debut on defense replacing Bobby Lillis who was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th. Fazio had no chances at shortstop in Pittsburgh’s ninth.

July 4, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

A holiday crowd of 20,005 watched as Pittsburgh supplied the fireworks knocking off the Colt.45s in both ends of their twilight night doubleheader 7-0 and 4-3. The Pirates Vern Law (7-3) threw the eight-hit shutout in the opener stranding nine with Roman Mejias the only one with more than one hit - the right fielder went 3-for-4 off Law all singles. Bob Bruce (6-2) gave up four quick hits to the Bucs in the first inning that led to three runs. Before he was lifted after 3.1 innings the .45s were behind 6-0. Newcomer Ernie Fazio made his first plate appearance as a pinch hitter in the seventh and popped to first.

The Pirates won the second game 4-3 behind Earl Francis (5-5) and Elroy Face. Francis allowed only one of the runs while striking out eight and the Colts tallied two runs off Face in ninth. Jim Golden (5-7) was the loser with recently acquired Russ Kemmerer relieving Golden for his first appearance since joining the club from the White Sox. Ernie Fazio had his first starting assignment leading off and playing shortstop. He was hitless in three at bats with a base on balls. Houston concluded their home stand with only one win and six losses bringing the teams’ overall record to 33-46, a win percentage of .417 and the deepest they have been out of first place all season - 20 and-a-half games.

July 5, 1962 - OPEN DATE

July 6, 1962 - Cincinnati, Crosley Field

Houston finally beats Joey Jay (11-8) after he had won his first three games for the Reds against the .45s, but it took a shutout by Hal Woodeshick (3-6) to come up with the 2-0 victory. Woodeshick threw an eight-hitter, did not walk a man and struck out eight to win his first game since April 24. The only two runs in the game came in the second inning on singles by Norm Larker and Carl Warwick, a sacrifice fly my Merritt Ranew and Bob Lillis’ base hit. Jay struck out five in the first two innings and at one point sat down 11 in a row facing only 25 batters in his seven innings.

July 7, 1962 - Cincinnati, Crosley Field

The Reds jump all over four Houston pitchers with 15 hits and 10-1 victory behind the pitching of Bob Purkey (14-2). The only run he allowed was in the ninth inning when Ernie Fazio picked up his first major league hit and run batted in. Colt starter Ken Johnson (4-11) was knocked out with one away in the second after allowing four runs on three hits (one a home run by Vada Pinson) and two bases on balls. Frank Robinson extended his hitting streak to eleven games with four hits raising his average to .330. Purkey also chipped in with his second homer of the season coming off Russ Kemmerer.

July 8, 1962 - Crosley Field

Baseball fans who enjoy plenty of hits and home runs came to the right place today to watch the .45s and Reds battle it out in a Sunday afternoon doubleheader. A total of 46 hits and 13 homeruns spiced up the day as 18,332 post-holiday fans saw Cincinnati win both games 12-8 and 12-11 in 13-innings. The Reds took the opener with a six-run blow-out in the sixth inning off starter Bob Bruce and Dick Farrell (5-9). Bruce’s, exit came on Frank Robinson’s grand slam in an inning that saw ten batters parade to the plate to accumulate five hits, two walks, a wild pitch, a stolen base and a Houston error. Jim Maloney (4-3) who entered the game in the sixth was the winner after starter Jim O’Toole and Mo Drabowsky issued two two-run round trippers to Norm Larker and Carl Warwick and a solo shot to Hal Smith. Each club hit three home runs with the Reds picking up 13 hits and the Colts 11.

The nightcap was won in the bottom of the 13th after Houston had gone out in front in the top of the inning 11-10. The game had been tied at 10-10 since the 8th. They did it on Norm Larker’s single, Carl Warwick’s sacrifice and Merritt Ranew's base hit. However, Marty Keough led off in the bottom of the 13th with a tying home run and Cincinnati went on to win on Frank Robinson’s single, a sacrifice and a single by Leo Cardenas. Fourteen pitchers were used in the game, nine by the Reds and five by Colts. This second game produced four .45s home runs - two by Bob Cerv, one by Larker and one by Bob Aspromonte. Cincinnati had 22 hits, Houston 17.

July 9, 1962 - FIRST ALL-STAR BREAK

July 10, 1962 - Washington, D.C., D.C. Stadium

Dick Farrell is the only representative from the Colt.45s on the National League team. It is the second time he has been selected as an All-Star - the first time as a member of Phillies in 1958. The National League beats the American 3-1. The other All-Star game this season will be player at Wrigley Field in Chicago on July 30th.

July 11, 1962 - Philadelphia, Connie Mack Stadium

Houston and Philadelphia use this open date to make up one of the two games postponed in Philly on April 15th - their regular schedule will resume in Pittsburgh tomorrow.

The Phillies score early and the Colts pick up their only run in the ninth inning as Philadelphia wins its eighth straight against Houston 6-1. Art Mahaffey (11-9) is responsible for three of those wins as he throws a five-hitter for his 11th complete game of the year. Hal Woodeschick (3-7) gives up a three-run home run in the first inning to Roy Sievers and Dick Drott, making his first appearance since being brought up from Oklahoma City, tosses up a two-run shot to Ted Savage in the fifth. Only 3,441 show up for this makeup game and they didn’t stay long as it was played in one hour and 55 minutes.

Following the game coach/C/OF Jim Busby was optioned to Oklahoma City.

July 12, 1962 - Pittsburgh, Forbes Field

The Pirates get to starter Jim Golden (5-8) early and Houston never recovers as the Bucs rack up a 6-4 win in the first of a three-game series. Dick Stuart jumped on Golden in the first inning with a two-run homer his 13th and his third off the Colts. Then in the 3rd he gave up a three-run shot to Smokey Burgess. Golden was relieved for Russ Kemmerer in the fifth and he was greeted by a solo home run by Bob Skinner. Pirates starter Al McBean (9-5) coasted with a 6-1 lead until the seventh when the .45s scored three runs on five singles (Bob Aspromonte, Carl Warwick, Hal Smith, Al Spangler and Billy Goodman) aided by a throwing error by shortstop Dick Groat. Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh allowed McBean, a second-year pitcher, to stay the distance for a complete game. Both Spangler and Roberto Clemente came up with three hits, one a triple by Clemente and a double by Spangler. Clemente was coming off a three hit performance in Tuesday’s National League All-Star win.

July 13, 1962 - Pittsburgh, Forbes Field

For the sixth straight game the Colt.45s fall behind at the start as Houston’s starting pitching continues to falter – this time leading to a 4-0 loss. The big culprit is Bob Friend (9-9) who stops the Colts with seven hits and no walks while the .45s are hitting into five double plays. Dick Farrell (5-11) gives up two runs in the first on a Bill Virdon double, a single by Bob Skinner and Roberto Clemente’s 51st RBI. In the 3rd Farrell starts with a double to Dick Groat, another base hit by Skinner and a double steal of home by Groat and Skinner’s steal of second - his second steal of the game. This is Houston’s sixth straight defeat and the 10th to Pittsburgh in 13 games. The Bucs are having a feast on the lower three clubs with a 26-7 record against the 8-9-10 teams in the standings – Colts 3-10, Cubs 3-9 and Mets 1-8.

July 14, 1962 - Pittsburgh, Forbes Field

The final game of the series is one of those Saturday morning games that is scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. start. Following a night game it is not a favorite time for players or the media. (Pittsburgh baseball is still being played under Pennsylvania Blue Laws – the game must be concluded by 5 p.m. – thus the early start). A very sparse crowd of about 200 is on hand for the beginning with the humidity at 88% on a sun-splashed morning.

There seems to be something about Pennsylvania teams that causes Houston to roll over. Vern Law (8-4) chalks up his fourth victory over the .45s leading to their seventh loss in a row 4-2. In this series the Pirates have thrown three complete games – Al McBean, Bob Friend and Law. Today the Colts managed to get out in front for a change with a game-opening single by Joey Amalfitano, the first of three hits he would garner for this morning’s and afternoon’s affair. Roman Mejias followed with his 20th home run, and that accounted for the club’s scoring for the day. From that point on the Bucs chipped away off the pitching of Bob Bruce (6-3). One of their four runs was Bob Skinner’s third home run off Houston pitching, running Pittsburgh’s total off the Colts staff to 11 for the season. Bruce is battered for 10 hits in his 4.1 innings. After beating Cincinnati in the opening game of the road trip the .45s have dropped their final seven and head home with a record of 33-53 – still in 8th place thanks to the Cubs and Mets – but still 25 games from the top of the league. Earlier I mentioned Pennsylvania teams – so far this season it stands Pennsylvania 19 – Texas 3.

July 15, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The Colt .45s come behind in the seventh inning to win the first game of their doubleheader with Chicago 5-4 on three home runs. The Cubs gained a split by taking the second game 4-1. In the opener Hal Woodeshick (4-7) allowed six hits and four runs in his first five innings but none over the next two frames before being lifted. The top of the Cubs batting order, Lou Brock and Ken Hubbs, account for all of Chicago’s runs and five of their six hits. Down 3-4 after six innings on Roman Mejias' 21st homer in the first inning and a two-run home run by Carl Warwick in the 4th, both coming off loser Bob Buhl (6-7), Houston wins it after two outs in the 7th on a pinch walk to Bob Cerv and Al Spangler’s home run. Don McMahon pitched a perfect 8th and 9th for the save.

The Cubs take the second game 4-1 as starting pitcher Dick Ellsworth (5-13) pitches a five-hitter with Houston scoring its only run in the first. The run was unearned as result of errors by third baseman Jim McKnight and leftfielder Billy Williams. After the first inning the Chicago lefty allowed only three hits. Colts manager Harry Craft used six pitchers in an effort to control what turned out to be a 10-hit Cubs attack with starter Ken Johnson (4-12) working only two innings giving up three runs and five hits. This Sunday afternoon doubleheader is the first played in Colt Stadium since June 10 when some 75-80 fans were overcome by heat. Today the attendance was 6,907 despite a temperature of 94 with the humidity at 58%.

July 16, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium vs. Chicago - POSTPONED

July 17, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Russ Kemmerer (0-1) gets his first start for the .45s, pitches well for six innings but falls victim to the Phillies 3-0 in the opener of a doubleheader. It was the same old story – another loss in the second game 8-2 as Houston falls once again to Philadelphia for the ninth and tenth times without a win. Jack Hamilton (6-7) and Jack Baldschun hold the Colts to five hits in the first game with Hamilton retiring the first eight men in order to open the game and giving up only four hits in his seven innings. Kemmerer went six innings allowing two runs, one a home run to John Callison, on six hits with five strike outs. After two outs in the first Kemmerer retired 11 consecutive Phillies before giving up his second run in the 6th.

Jim Campbell who had been catching for Oklahoma City since the start of the season joined the club as Kemmerer’s catcher – this was his first big league appearance after playing eight years in the minors. At Oklahoma City he was hitting .350 in 70 games with 47 RBI, nine homers, 12 doubles and three triples. In his debut today he lined to left and lined to second on what turned out to be a double play when Bob Aspromonte was doubled off second. In his final at bat he drew a base on balls.

Dick Farrell (5-12) got off to a great start but faltered in the middle innings and lost for the third time to his former team 8-2. He was taken out after five innings, charged with five runs on seven hits – one a home run by Tony Gonzalez. Bobby Tiefenauer pitched two innings and Jim Umbricht finished up. Umbricht worked in both games with a two-game total of five innings, four runs, six hits, four strike out and one walk. The Colts only two markers came in the 4th off starter Cal McLish (6-2) on a single by Roman Mejias and Bob Aspromonte’s ninth home run.

July 18, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

The .45s drop their eleventh consecutive game to Philadelphia without a win as Dallas Green (3-2) throws a six-hit complete game. The Phillies wasted little time in this one moving to a 6-2 victory by blasting starter Bob Bruce (6-4) out of the game with one out and five runs in the first inning. It was Bruce’s poorest beginning of the season - along with three hits he hit a batter and walked one. Jim Campbell had a passed ball and Bob Aspromonte committed an error to allow two unearned runs. Houston scored their two runs in the 3rd on a single by Jim Golden, who had relieved Bruce in the opening inning, a base on balls to Roman Mejias and a two-run double by Norm Larker.

July 19, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Houston and Philadelphia battle to a 2-2 tie through seven innings before the Phillies knockout Hal Woodeshick (4-8) in the 8th and go on to a 6-2 win . Chris Short (5-6) is credited with the win after starter Paul Brown is lifted by Manager Gene Mauch after the Colts pick up two hits but fail to score in the seventh. One of the hits snapped a 15 at-bat hitless streak by Joey Amalfitano. The first four batters in the order for the .45s (Al Spangler, Billy Goodman, Roman Mejias and Norm Larker} go hitless and score their only two runs in the second on a walk to Larker, back-to-back singles by Bob Aspromonte and Jim Pendleton, a throwing error by the Phils right fielder John Callison and a single by Woodeshick. After 12 losses without a win against the Phils the only bright spot is that the Colts are not scheduled to face them again until August 20.

July 20, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Trailing 2-3 going into the bottom of the ninth inning Houston comes up with the winning runs to take the first game of the series from St.Louis 4-3. Trailing most of the game Bob Aspromonte hits his 10th home run in the 8th off relief pitcher Lindy McDaniel, who had just entered the game in the seventh. That brought the .45s within catching distance and Billy Goodman’s pinch single starts the winning rally in the ninth. Pidge Browne, also pinch hitting, draws a walk and pinch runners Jim Golden and Jim Pendleton are moved over on Joey Amalfitano’s sacrifice bunt. Cardinals manager Johnny Keane orders an intentional walk to Al Spangler and Roman Mejias promptly ends the game with a base hit driving in runs number 56 and 57. Dick Farrell (6-12) pitches the distance giving up seven hits without a walk and strikes out 12. After Farrell allowed two runs in the opening inning on Stan Musial’s double, following singles by Curt Flood and Julian Javier, Turk, after one out in the 2nd, retires the next 14 Red Birds before allowing another hit to Musial, giving Stan the Man 13 hits in his last 22 at-bats.

After the game the Colts announce the sale of Don Buddin to Detroit for an unannounced amount of cash. Buddin leaves the .45s with a .162 average, two homers and 10 RBI in 40 games.

July 21, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Russ Kemmerer (0-2) makes his second start another unsuccessful one as the Colts are shutout by Larry Jackson (9-8) 7-0 in the opener of a day-nite doubleheader. Houston rebounds in the second game with a 7-3 win for the split. The Cardinals strike Kemmerer for three runs in the second inning of the first game on two home runs, a solo by Ken Boyer and Carl Sawatski’s with a man on. Kemmerer went only 2.2 innings giving up seven hits while Jim Umbricht pitched 5.1 and was pounded for four runs and eight hits. While the Red Birds were piling up 16 hits Jackson was holding the .45s to four. From two outs in the third through one out in the 8th Jackson retired 14 consecutive batters to rack up their fifth win seven games against Houston.

Curt Simmons (8-6) was no puzzle for the Colts in the evening game as he was touched up for all seven runs in his five innings on ten Houston hits. Hal Smith drove in four runs two each in the 2nd and 6th innings on doubles while Jim Pendleton had two singles and two RBI. Bob Aspromonte drove in the other Houston run while chalking up a double and single. Ken Johnson (5-12) worked only 5.2 innings allowing all three St.Louis runs and five hits. He was lifted in the top of the sixth when Ken Boyer homered to draw the Cardinals within one run of a tie. However, Simmons was knocked out in the bottom of the inning upping the .45s lead to 7-3 and awarding Johnson the win. Jim Golden pitched the final 3.1 for the save retiring the last eight in a row. Bobby Shantz worked the last two innings for the Red Birds in his first appearance against the Colts since his trade to St.Louis on May 7 for Carl Warwick. The little lefthander gave up a single to Golden, walked Smith and Roman Mejias while striking out Norm Larker and Warwick. The Saturday afternoon game drew only 4,580 (90 degrees) but the two-game total was 22,322 with an attendance of 17,742 (87 degrees – humidity 72%) for the night half.

July 22, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Bob Gibson (13-6) wins his third game in as many starts over the .45s chalking up another win for St. Louis 3-1. Manager Johnny Keane surprisingly lifted Gibson with two outs and Hal Smith on third in the ninth and brings in Lindy McDaniel who gets pinch batter Billy Goodman to ground out to end the game. Gibson had allowed only seven hits but walked four and had he finished it would have been his 11th complete game in 20 starts. Houston’s only run came in the first on a walk to Joey Amalfitano and singles by Roman Mejias and Norm Larker. Al Spangler had three hits off Gibson but was stranded each time. The Cardinals scored all three of their runs in the second off Bob Bruce (6-5) when he gave up four of his seven hits – one a single and RBI by Gibson who entered the game with a batting average of .280. This was another Sunday afternoon game and 8,685 showed up to test the sun on a partly cloudy day with a temperature of 92.

July 23, 1962 - Houston, Colt Stadium

Willie Mays leads the Giants with his 29th home run and his 88th and 89th runs batted in to a 5-1 victory over Houston before 12,086 fans. Meanwhile, Bob Bolin 6-0) pitches a seven hitter and the only run h