So here we go Off the Clock 1961-

1-Willie Mays-A bit surprised with this pick-I thought Sandy Koufax was a shoe in
2-Sandy Koufax-I thought he would go 1st
3-Hank Aaron-I knew these 3 were the Top 3 but I thought-Koufax-Aaron-Mays
4-busterglen's Pick
5-My Pick

I wait for busterglen Pick and then I get to Pick.  Do I know who I'm going to Pick?  Yes I do.  And do I know who I'll Pick if busterglen takes my Pick?  I thought I had, but now I'm not to sure.

So Please leave your Chat Here-I'd love to hear from you!

I've decided to call the Player, who my Franchise will be selecting;

outbacker-Hello, this is Mr Outbacker, is this Mr XXXXX?

Person who Answered the Phone-No, This is Mr XXXXX, Mr XXXXX Agent.

outbacker-May I please speak to MrXXXXX?

Agent-No, Mr XXXXX is not talking to anyone until, he is Drafted.  You guys seem very slow, whats taking so long?

outbacker-I don't know- but I can tell you that I would like to congratulate your Client, as my Franchise has decided to make him our Round 1 Selection(Pick 5)

Agent-How can you Pick my Client when we're still waiting for busterglen to make his Pick?

outbacker-Well, this is all tenative of course.

Agent-Please don't bother my Client until you've Drafted him or else I'll report you to your Commisioner.

Less than 30 Minutes later, busterglen selects Juan Marical-Now its my Pick and I select 25 Year Old Right Hander Bob Gibson.  Of course this is the guy I wanted all along. A HOFer who's only 25 and has many Outstanding Years in Front of him.  I call back Gibson again, only this time he answers the Phone.  I take the opportunity to Congratulate him and welcome him Aboard!

Commissioner states he is a bit disappointed in the speed of the draft so far. "I was expecting to make my pick at #16 tonight. I get home from a long day at the office only to find that we had only 1 pick made throughout much of the day". Everyone will need to get on board by Wednesday when the timed picks start!

I'd also like to comment that the first 5 picks aren't much of a surprise...... good quality owners making good quality picks!

Bob Gibson was my guess for the #1 overall pick, but there are good reasons to take any of these guys #1.

Meanwhile, Vinegar Bend Mizell keeps calling and saying to keep him in mind when Round 25 rolls around.  I don't think he has an agent.

Frank Robinson goes at #6-Nothing wrong with this pick-As a matter of fact I was looking at a past 61 Draft where he went 2cond.  I would have taken Frank, if Gibson wasn't available.  Today I watched Gibson work out for the 1st time.  He was wild!  Batters were very hesitant to dig in against him.  The organization is going to have to be patient with Bob and resist a tempetation to Trade him.  In other League's that I'm in I've Traded Players in their 1st Year such as Tom Seaver-Nolan Ryan, which I have regretted.  So let me make this announcement to all League Owners-Bob Gibson will never be Traded!  So if you want to talk to be about a Trade, fine.  But the moment Bob Gibson's name is mentioned, the discussion is over.  I have sent this memo to evey member of the organization.

Don Drysdale 7th Pick-I liked this HOFer too.  Only 24 Years Old with plenty of ings in his arm.  But getting back to Gibson; he's gonna  lead the League in Walks in 1961 with 119.  I guess that comes with his wildness and as a result he's gonna reach his Pitch Count fast, and I'm gonna have to have the Pen ready. 

I've got 3 guys targeted for my #15 and #18 picks.  Hopefully two of them are left!!  

This draft is taking awhile.  Hopefully things pick up tonight.

The eighth pick is in - P Jim Bunning gets the call. There are a lot of good bats out there, but the arms were getting thinner. Rest assured, our staff believes that the four pitchers picked ahead of him are obviously the best. Gibson, Koufax, Marichal and Drysdale are no-brainers. We admit that we felt there was a need to get a pitcher with this pick, but Bunning has got five $7-$9 million seasons in the next 7 years.

Yep-I knew all about Mr Bunning.  I liked his intimating side arm stuff.  Would have loved to have Teamed him with Bob Gibson, but I knew their was no way that was going to happen.  But all in all he was a good Pick at #8, as he could have easily went earlier.

The next 10-20 picks will be pretty interesting. The wish list is large, but it will evaporate quickly I'm sure!

Mickey Mantle goes 9th.  I was really curious where he would go, as a possible 1961 MVP with only a few good years afterwards.  

I managed to take the first non-HOF at #12 with Ron Santo. I felt a little awkward about that as there are at least a dozen HOF's with career time left in the draft, but I felt like Santo was the best player available. Still you would like to have someone more iconic to be the foundation of your team.