Jack McKeon's time as Oakland manager came to an end earlier today when GM Charlie Finley fired him after an 18-31 start. McKeon, in his first season with the team, had a 215-205 record in three seasons with Kansas City and was given the task of leading a team ravaged of talent by free agency. Unfortunately, winning just eight games in the month of May seemed to seal McKeon's fate.
"The bottom line is about performance and our performnace is not up to my expectations. Jack is a fine coach, but there just doesn't seem to be any connection with the players." Finley said at a press conference at Oakland Coliseum.
So now the job search begins anew in Oakland, where no manager has lasted longer than three seasons since Connie Mack in 1950.
"There is no timetable for finding a replacement, but it will be done quickly. Until that time, Cal Ermer will run the club on a temporary basis."
McKeon could not be reached for comment after being told of his dismissal.
Paul Splittorff (4-6, 3.35 ERA) will be the first to tell you, when he's on - he's outstanding. But when he's not - he's just plain awful. In Kansas City's 4-0 win over the Orioles, Splittorff was on the good side as he strikes out six while allowing eight hits in 8 2/3 shutout innings. Jim Palmer (4-7) takes the loss in what has become an extremely trying season for the former 20-game winner. Tom Poquette (.241, 12 RBI) hits a single and a double, scoring once and driving in two runs to lead the Royals offense.
In game two, Darrell Porter (.293, 23 RBI) hammered his former team with four hits - including his fourth homer of the season - scoring three runs and driving in two runs to lead the Orioles to an 11-9 slugfest win. Kiko Garcia (.243, 9 RBI) hits two singles and a double, driving in three runs and scoring two more himself in the win. The other member of the Porter trade, Lee May (.378, 2 HR, 9 RBI), also homered for Kansas City.
Pat Zachry (9-3, 3.83 ERA) wins his league high ninth game of the season 5-1, breaking the Astros nine game winning streak and keeping Houston from sweeping the Reds in their three game series. Zachry allows eight hits and strikes out five in the complete game win - helping out his cause by driving in two runs on 2-for-2 hitting, raising his average to .320 on the year. Jose Cruz (.249, 31 SB) has four singles in the loss, scoring the Astros only run.
Dennis Leonard (4-6, 4.01 ERA) shows flashes of when he was in a Royals uniform as he strikes out seven, allows six hits and gives up one run through eight innings while Jason Thompson (.263, 29 RBI) drives in three runs on a pair of singles to lead Detroit to a 4-1 win over the Angels. Nolan Ryan (7-5) strikes out 10 hitters in 7 2/3 innings, but also walks eight while throwing 152 pitches in taking the loss.
In their first game since the firing of manager Jack McKeon, Oakland's Bob Heise (.302, 22 RBI) doubles in the bottom of the ninth off Jerry Garvin (1-2) to score Mitchell Page (.333) from second and give the A's a 5-4 victory. Otto Velez (.277, 30 RBI) had tied the game in the top of the inning with his tenth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left off of closer Bob Lacey (1-2, 3 BS). Oakland starter Vida Blue (2.77) goes eight innings, giving up two unearned runs, but loses the decision on the home run by Velez.
The Giants hit three home runs, which account for all of their offense as they lose 5-3 to Atlanta in front of 18,488 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Gary Alexander (.244, 3 HR, 12 RBI), Jack Clark (.312, 6 HR, 29 RBI) and Willie McCovey (.300, 7 HR, 37 RBI) all hit solo shots, but the rest of the offense manages just three other singles. Atlanta only manages five hits, but turns them into runs thanks to four key walks By John Montefusco (4-7). Braves starter Buzz Capra (4-3, 5.37 ERA) gives up two of the homers, but strikes out six en route to the win.
In a game that comes down to a battle of closers, Sam Mejias (.600, 1 RBI) singles off of Cardinals closer Clay Carroll (3-2) in the bottom of the tenth inning to bring home Warren Cromartie (.301) and give Joe Kerrigan (1-0) and Montreal a 4-3 victory. Cromartie has two doubles on the day, including one to start off the tenth. St. Louis leadoff man Lou Brock (.240, 16 RBI, 19 SB) hits a double, two singles and steals two bases in the loss.
Cleveland scores four runs in the top of the ninth as Enrique Romo (1-4, 4 BS) gives up four singles, a walk and hits a batter to hand the Tribe a 7-4 victory. Bill Melton (.261, 11 RBI) has three hits on the day, driving in a run and Rick Manning (.245, 24 RBI) brings home two more on two hits as Cleveland delivers 11 hits as a team - all singles. The win puts Cleveland into a tie for first place in the division with Toronto, the first time they have been in first this late in the season since 1966.
Jim Rooker (7-2, 2.44 ERA) kept the Pirates ship for the pennant headed straight ahead as he holds Chicago to three hits and two earned runs while striking out five through eight innings. The win is the eighth in their last 10 games and has kept their lead in the NL East at a comfortable six games. Eight of the nine Pittsburgh starters have at least one hit (sorry Ken Macha). Ivan DeJesus (.235, 22 RBI) has two of the Cubs three hits.
Other Scores
American League
| Boston Minnesota | 1 2 | New York Chicago | 4 6 | Milwaukee Texas | 3 6 | Toronto Oakland | 4 3 |
National League
| Philadelphia New York | 5 3 | San Diego Los Angeles | 3 7 |
Trades
| Kansas City trades 32-year-old SS Freddie Patek ($67,000 over 1 year) and 20-year old Single A RF Greg Nelson to Atlanta, getting 34-year-old RP Mike Marshall ($1,140,300 over 2 years) in return. |
To Atlanta:
1976 Stats 1977 Stats | .241 .252 | 432 115 | 104 29 | 58 21 | 19 6 | 3 3 | 1 2 | 43 11 | 50 11 | 63 16 | .318 .323 | 51 22 |
1977 Stats (A) | .249 | 201 | 50 | 23 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 29 | 37 | .345 | .366 |
To Kansas City:
1976 Stats 1977 Stats | 4 2 | 3 2 | 8 1 | 4.45 3.78 | 62.2 16.2 | 64 14 | 33 8 | 31 7 | 25 8 | 39 5 | 1.42 1.32 | .304 .237 |
 | Montreal trades 32-year-old catcher Jose Morales ($59,885 over 1 year) and 21-year old Single A catcher Clint Mathis (Minor League Contract) to Texas, getting 35-year-old shortstop Bert Campaneris ($1,140,300 over 2 years) in return. |
To Texas:
1976 Stats 1977 Stats | .316 .132 | 158 38 | 50 5 | 12 1 | 11 1 | 0 0 | 4 0 | 37 0 | 3 1 | 20 3 | .333 .154 | .462 .158 |
1977 Stats (A) | .256 | 176 | 45 | 23 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 18 | 20 | .328 | .438 |
To Montreal:
1976 Stats 1977 Stats | .256 .181 | 536 160 | 137 29 | 67 6 | 14 2 | 1 1 | 1 0 | 52 9 | 63 13 | 80 33 | .331 .243 | 54 12 |
Major Transactions
| MR Mike Marshall is placed on the active roster (from trade). MR Randy McGilberry (0-0, 0.93 ERA, 19.1 IP) optioned to Triple A Omaha. RF Al Cowens (.342, 6 HR, 38 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Omaha. U.L. Washington takes over at SS. Cowens will start at RF and Hal McRae will move to DH. Marshall will be the #1 MR in the bullpen. |
| SS Freddie Patek is placed on the active roster (from trade). SS Jerry Royster (.225, 9 RBI) demoted to Triple A Richmond. CL Duane Theiss (3-0, 0.93 ERA, 9 SV - AAA) contract purchased from Triple A Richmond. Patek will take over at SS and bat leadoff. Theiss will look to make a name an impression in the bullpen. |
| SS Bert Campaneris is placed on the active roster (from trade). SS Pepe Frias (.400,1 RBI, 15 AB) optioned to Triple A Denver. C Barry Foote (.242, 10 HR, 44 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Denver. SS Stan Papi assigned to Triple A Denver (from waivers). Campaneris takes over at SS and bat leadoff (sound familar?) with Kurt Bevacqua serving as backup. Foote will struggle to find at-bats behind MVP-candidate Gary Carter. |
| C Jose Morales is placed on the active roster (from trade). C Bill Fahey (.197, 2 HR, 7 RBI) optioned to Triple A Tucson. 2B Sandy Alomar (..274, 4 HR, 25 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Tucson. Morales is the new starting catcher with John Ellis as backup. Jimmy Sexton and Alomar will platoon at SS with Alomar backing up all of the infield when needed. |
Short Season Single A
Geneva Cubs (16-40) at Virginia Beach Toreadors (34-19)
| Geneva Jamestown | 4 5 |
W: Tommy Campbell (7-0) L: Sergio Gonzalez (0-2)
HR – None
POG: Juan Madrigal (JAM) 2-5, 2 RBI
Before the game, I received a phone call that not only was Dicky Hujibregts called up to Single A, but his backup Robinson Diaz was as well - effectively leaving us with no catchers. Nice. In return I get two shortstops - something I really don't need for this final game. |
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