New York Mets making up some games in 1966

I managed to get a few games in for my 1966 NL replay.  It’s slow going but I never meant this to be a race.  I’m finishing up May 8th, 1966.  The day is important because of two reasons.  One, it’s the last day Orlando Cepeda plays for the Giants.  He’ll get traded to the Cardinals that night. 

Also, the Cubs and the Mets had a doubleheader. While that doesn’t seem like a big deal, the Mets are in dire need of making up games.  As you can see by the standings (which even include the doubleheader), they have only played 18 games compared to 25 by LA, Houston, San Fran or Atlanta.  Leaderboards are fun to look at but they are not as relevant when the Mets have played 3/4 of the games of many of the other teams.  I’m playing the as-played schedule of 1966 and If I had to guess, it must have been a rainy year in New York. 

As you can see, the Cubs and Cardinals are leading the NL with 14 losses.  Fortunately, the Cubs have a few more wins.  The biggest surprise so far are the Mets themselves who are holding their own with a .500 record.  Aside from the Cubs, they were worst team in the NL. 

Pittsburgh manager Harry Walker must know what he is doing.  He’s batting 3B Bob Bailey eighth in the lineup but Beetle keeps producing.  He’s now leading the NL in hitting with a .418 average.  Not only that, he is pacing the league in slugging, OBP, and rbis.  Walker ain’t going to mess with that strategy. 

Jim Lefebvre is a surprise homerun leader at the start with seven dingers.  Speaking of surprises, check out Cub SS Don Kessinger and his nifty .350 mark!  I ain’t cheating for him, I promise!! 

It’s tough to pick a top pitcher right now but to be sure, it’s a Dodger.  It’s most likely either Don Sutton (6-0, 2.25 ERA, 52 K in 48 IP) or Sandy Koufax (4-1, 1.73 ERA, 55 K in 52 IP).  The Dodgers lead the NL in ERA with a miniscule 2.16 ERA.  Second place Pittsburgh (3.36) isn’t even close. 

By the way, see the problems that New York’s schedule is giving me?  Very limited Tug McGraw has pitched two straight shutouts and he qualifies for the top ten list by virtue of the Mets only playing 18 games. 

One change I’ve made in my scorekeeping method is that implemented conditional formatting in my Excel master spreadsheet so that if total pitching stats and total team hitting stats don’t match, I’m greeted with a nasty red numbers. 

Like this:

That tells me I need to go back to my last game and re-check my stats.  Give Rod Caborn a little credit.  His Replay Insider column always emphasizes confirming stats after each game. 

With the acquisition of Cepeda, I don’t know how long the Cubs can keep down the Cardinals.  St Louis has needed a firstbaseman in a bad way and this may be what they need to move up in the standings. 

Go Cubs!