The American League 1963
By Johnny Orsino

It was exciting to report to a new team and a new league. The following are reports about some of the players and their teams that I competed against during the 1963 American League season.

Los Angeles Angels-
After a terrific season in 1962, the Angels were optimistic about their chances in 1963. Second baseman Billy Moran was 12th in the league with a .275 average. Albie Pearson raised his average 40 points to over .300. Leon Wagner belted 25 homers and had 90 RBIs. Ken McBride and Dean Chance won 13 games each. But, most of the other players had off seasons. So they had a dismal season, finishing in ninth place. Bill Rigney, the manager, was well-liked by the players and Gene Autry was a great owner to play for but, the highlight of the Angels' season was Jimmy Piersall's 100th home run which, after hitting, he ran the bases backwards.
Cleveland Indians-

Mudcat Grant was the ace of the pitching staff. Pedro Ramos had a fair season on the mound going 9-8 with a 3.12 ERA. Pedro also was known as one of the fastest runners in the league. There was always a lot of conversation between Pedro and Mickey Mantle, who had a reputation for his foot speed. Mickey bet Pedro $1000.00 that he could beat him. Pedro, not making the kind of money Mickey made and not having as much pride as Mickey about running didn't mind losing the race, just the money. Gabe Paul, the Cleveland General Manager, learning about the challenge, told Pedro to go back to Mickey and tell him he would put $2000.00 on Pedro's legs. But Mickey was no longer interested. He didn't need the money and didn't want to chance hurting himself. Pedro kidded him that, he didn't want to be beaten by a pitcher, a Cuban pitcher at that. Max Alvis was a good defensive third baseman and led the team with 22 home runs. Vic Davalillo, another rookie had a good season hitting .290.
Boston Red Sox-

Frank Malzone hit .290, Carl Yastrzemski won the batting title, Dick Stuart hit over 40 homers and led the league in RBIs, and Bill Monbouquette won 20 games. Yet the Red Sox won only 76 games and finished seventh. It's tough playing on a team like this. Players start playing too much for their own stats, thinking about next year's salary.
Washington Senators-

Tom Cheney finally found his niche with the Senators, where he became the ace of the staff in 1962 and 1963. Tom comments on his life with the Senators..."We lived outside of Washington, Arlington, VA. The apartments were nice but not very homey. Players didn't have much of a home life. You played mostly night games and you wouldn't get home until midnight or later. My wife would wait up and we'd eat at 1:30 or 2 a.m. Then I'd sleep till late morning. At 3:30 in the afternoon, I went back to the ballpark for another night game. It was a tough life being a ballplayer. You were always under pressure even if you weren't in a pennant race. Your whole life was determined by how well you did. You never forgot that if you didn't do the job, there was someone in the minors who was waiting for you to fail or be injured."...... The Senators, with a new manager, Gil Hodges, trying to make a name for himself, having a bad team, frustration soon set in.

Look for my next column for the continuation of the 1963 American League Season. I'd like to take this opportunity to show my appreciation and gratitude to Danny Peary and the book he edited, "We Played the Game". Reading the accounts of this fascinating era in baseball brought back many of my fondest memories.






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