April 1964 Rerun

“This team is capable of winning 92 games” manager Gene Mauch was quoted in spring training. Losers of 23 games in a row in 1961, his clubs won 81 and 87 in the next two seasons.

Win #1 in the 1964 season came on Opening Day, April 14, against the Mets at Connie Mack Stadium on a rainy Tuesday night. The tarp wasn’t removed until 20 minutes prior to the scheduled 8 o’clock start. A crowd of 21,016 witnessed a 5–3 win, a game played in drizzle.

Taylor, 2b

Callison, rf

Allen, 3b

Sievers, 1b

Gonzalez, cf

Cater, lf

Dalrymple, c

Wine, ss

Bennett, p

37-year-old Sievers hit a 3-run homer off lefty Al Jackson with one out in the first inning . . . Allen had two hits and an RBI . . . Wine, not a speedster, stole his lone base of the season . . . Bennett exited after allowing three runs in 4.2 innings (now pitch count limit in those days) . . . 36-year-old Klippstein picked up the win with 4.1 scoreless innings (yes, a reliever pitched that many innings).

Klippstein would win the third game of the season with another 4.1 outing . . . Bunning and Bennett also won two games each in April . . . Short relieved in three games and recorded a save . . . Allen got off to a blazing start, 11 games, 11 runs scored, 11 extra base hits, (4 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs), 12 RBI and a .426 average.

3–0 start matched the final three games in 1963 . . . 9–2 April is the franchise’s best start since the 1915 pennant winners began 11–3.

PHUN PHACT: Bunning, acquired from the American League Tigers in December 1963, faced only one National League club in spring training, a plan crafted by Mauch. Bunning began the season 2–0, both complete games in which he gave up one run.

Transactions

April 4, C Bob Oldis released; signed as the bullpen coach.

April 6, LHP Dave Roberts (Pirates) and RHP Darrell Sutherland (Mets) claimed on waivers.

April 21, RH reliever Ed Roebuck purchased from Senators.