HITTING: Milwaukee scored 888 runs, putting them in the top half of the league, but a big dropoff from 1974 and ultimately not enough for postseason success.

Catcher : Thurman Munson (.289/.356/.430) fell off a bit from last year but looks like a solid player. He hit 16 homers and drove home 77 runs. He shared the team league with Bill Madlock for longest hitting streak at 19.

First Base : Nate Colbert (.261/.389/.499) was not nearly the force he has been in the past, but hit 31 doubles and 20 home runs, driving home 68. He drew 81 walks to lead the team.

Second Base : Ted Sizemore (.283/.355/.340) was solid but contributed little, scoring only 55 and driving home 54. He hit 26 doubles but no home runs. He did post an impressive 53/22 BB/K ratio.

Shortstop : Craig Robinson (.256/.322/.297) was another OBP>SLG hitter. He had only nine extra base hits during the season, five of them triples. He drove home 52 but scored only 39.

Also filling in at shortstop were Frank Taveras (.285/.341/.375), mostly against -handers, and Gene Michael (.337/.382/.416). Taveras led the team with 11 steals in 14 attempts.

Third Base : Richie Hebner (.292/.375/.475) started strong and finished well, but seemed mostly invisible for much of the season. He hit 21 doubles, four triples, and 19 homers, scoring 71 and driving home 68.

Bill Madlock (.328/.378/.486) had a nice first season, playing 3B against LHP and often subbing for Colbert at 1B. He had 26 doubles with 16 homers, scored 89 and drove in 77.

Outfield : Charile Spikes (.296/.350/.494) bounced back from a horrible rookie campaign to blast 27 homers and drive in 102 runs to lead the team. He also scored 109 times for team honors and his 32 doubles topped Colbert's total by one.

Larry Hisle (.293/.357/.452) scored 103 runs and hit 19 homers to drive in 82. He, Colbert, and Spikes all reached the century mark in strikeouts.

Mike Lum (.316/.408/.511) had only 364 at bats but hit 18 homers and drove home 65. His .919 OPS led the team.

Bill Robinson (.241/.290/.351) tailed off badly and spent most of his time on the bench.

Terry Crowley (.276/.335/.421) had a five-double game and finished with 18 two-base hits in 145 at bats.

BENCH: AAA prospect OF/3B Tristan Pinkham (.268/.365/.484) showed some nice power with eight homers in 190 at bats.

AAA prospect OF/2B Clay Smith (.352/.413/.492) drove in 30 runs in only 128 at bats.

AAA prospect C Richard Ruark (.226/.308/.270) displayed a good batting eye but not much else.

The 1975 Draft has begun.

Milwaukee has three selections, beginning with #17 in the first round. Milwaukee's biggest immediate need is in the outfield, but the club has noticed that Ted Sizemore's bat has become less and less productive; completing a mini-run on second basemen, the Riders select Manny Trillo.

In the second round, the Riders try to fill their current hole at first base by drafting young slugger Mike Ivie. Ivie also has some experience behind the plate and could spell Thurman Munson when the veteran needs some rest.

The third round and final pick is finally an outfielder: young switch-hitter JerryWhite.



Still looking for more at bats in the outfield, Milwaukee then works a trade with Minnesota, sending reliever Ramon Hernandez to the Mooseheads in exchange for third-year outfielder Jim Wohlford.

1975 Riders Preview:

Once again the Riders will be depending on their pitching staff to win games, as the offense is still searching for an identity. Actually, they may have found an identity; unfortunately that identity is "punchless". While Thurman Munson, Richie Hebner, Larry Hisle and Bill Madlock are proven quantities, only Hebner has shown much pop in his bat, and Hisle looks to be limited this season by knee trouble. The team will be looking for major contributions from two rookies: Manny Trillo and Mike Ivie.

The rotation will be without Tommy John for the second straight season; the difference is that the bullpen won't have John around either. "Experimental" surgery on John's elbow will keep him out for the entirety of the season. Bill Lee, Jon Matlack, Ron Reed and Fred Norman present a strong rotation, however, and the bullpen should be at least as good as it was last season. If the team finds ways to score runs, they should contend for the division title. Playoff success, however, seems unlikely even if they should make it that far.

The season begins at home this year, as the Boston Red Sox come to town.

Game 1: The game gets off to a good start as Mike Ivie and Mike Lum hit two-run homers in the first and second innings, respectively, to give Milwaukee a 4-0 lead. That lead gradually evaporates, however, and the season starts on a down note as Dave LaRoche is shelled for three runs in the eighth to give Boston a come-from-behind 6-5 win.

Game 2: Bill Madlock blasts his first home run, a two-run shot in the first, to spark a six-run frame that gets the Riders off to another early lead. Madlock leads off the second inning with a single and eventually scores the first of three more Rider runs in that frame. Unfortunately, Ron Reed does not react well to having such a big lead and can't even get through the fifth inning to qualify for a win. Boston keeps scratching and clawing, eventually tying the game at ten on Jack Brohamer's single in the eighth. Goose Gossage pitches a scoreless ninth and the Riders have one last chance to avoid extras. Terry Crowley pinch hits and walks to lead off. Manny Trillo pinch hits for Frank Taveras (whose two errors led to four unearned runs) and sacrifices the runner to second. Mike Ivie pinch hits for Gossage and gets a grounder through the middle for a single. Crowley races around third and slides in under the tag to give Milwaukee their first win of the season, 11-10.

Game 3: Another bad outing from Dave Laroche and a pathetic showing by the offense send the Riders to defeat, 6-2. Not a good way to start the season.

Our first road trip takes us to New York to face the Mammoths.

Game 4: The Riders have certainly hit much better than expected so far; all their prowess is on display in the road opener, as they pummel the Mammoths for 15 hits and 15 runs. AAA infield prospect Mason Karg hits his first major league home run, Ted Sizemore drives home six, and the Mike and Mike duo of Ivie and Lum score three times each. Larry Demery throws four scoreless innings in relief to get the win.

Game 5: Pedro Borbon and three Mammoth relievers combine to deal the Riders their first shutout of the season; Bill Lee pitches respectably but comes out on the short end of a 4-0 game.

Game 6: AAA outfielder Tyler McCormick has three hits, including his first home run, and four RBI, but the rest of the lineup is not nearly as productive and the defense is atrocious (four errors leading to four unearned runs); the Mammoths take the series with a 10-5 decision.

No shame in losing to New York, but 2-4 was not how we envisioned starting the season. We return home to face Washington (2-4).

Game 7: Jon Matlack bounces back from his subpar first start of the season and throws six shutout innings while driving in a run himself. Rich Gossage throws two scoreless innings for his first save of the season in a 3-0 shutout win.

Game 8: Former Rider Charlie Spikes hits a home run for Washington, but Dave Laroche finally navigates through a scoreless appearance and the Commandos' Cesar Tovar, possibly playing out of position at shortstop, commits three errors, the last of which puts the leadoff hitter in the ninth inning on base. He advances to third on a series of hits and groundouts, then scores the game-winner on Bill Madlock's hit. Milwaukee evens their record at 4-4 with a 3-2 win.

Game 9: For the first time this season, Milwaukee moves above .500 when Richie Hebner singles home Jim Wohlford in the bottom of the ninth with the winning run in a 2-1 decision. Bill Lee throws eight shutout innings but Washington ties the score with a ninth-inning run off Rich Gossage, who suffers his second blown save.

The Riders will host the White Sox next; Chicago is off to an uncharacteristic slow start at 4-5.

Game 10: Tom Seaver continues his usual mastery of the Riders, pitching a complete game three-hit shutout to even Chicago's record at 5-5 with a 5-0 win. Jim Wohlford has Milwaukee's only extra base hit, a double, but also commits an error that leads to two unearned runs.

Game 11: Ted Sizemore hits his first home run of the season; that run holds up as the winner in a 3-2 decision. Rich Gossage tosses two scoreless innings for the save in relief of Jon Matlack.

Game 12: For a time, it looks like Mark Belanger's early two-run double will stand up, but the Riders rally for three runs in the sixth, scoring the first two on bases-loaded walks, and hold on for a 3-2 win. Rich Gossage picks up another two-inning save.

Divisional play awaits; Milwaukee is 7-5, one game behind Anaheim. The Angels will visit Milwaukee next.

Game 13: Larry Hisle doubles and homers in his first start of the season, Ron Reed scatters 10 hits over seven innings, and Mike Ivie hits a two-run homer as the Riders open the series with a 6-1 victory. Both teams get 11 hits.

Game 14: Bill Lee notches his first win of the season, lasting into the seventh and getting some late-inning run support as the Riders defeat Anaheim 5-2. Rich Gossage picks up another save.

Game 15: Jon Matlack outpitches Joe Coleman and Rich Gossage notches his fifth save as the Riders squeak by with a 3-1 victory. Larry Biittner triples home a run and scores.

Game 16: All the scoring in this one is over by the fourth inning; three Angel errors help the Riders score two in the third, and Fred Norman allows only a first inning solo homer to Sixto Lezcano. Rich Gossage has another two-inning save and the Riders sweep the Angels with a second consecutive 3-1 decision.

We're off to Kansas City (8-8).

Game 17: Bill Madlock has three hits and three RBI, and Ron Reed tosses eight scoreless innings, as the Riders defeat the Blue Sox 5-3 despite a shaky ninth inning. Skip Lockwood allows all three batters he faces to reach base, and Rich Gossage sees to it that they all score, sending the final one home on a bases-loaded walk, before shutting the door for his seventh save.

Game 18: Bill Lee mixes some good innings with some bad innings and leaves after six with a 5-2 deficit. The bats don't make much of a dent in that lead and the Riders drop game 2, 5-3.

Game 19: Milwaukee collects 13 hits and steals four bases, but they can't produce enough runs to get the lead; Kansas City scores in the bottom of the ninth of Darold Knowles to score a 5-4 win.

Game 20: Milwaukee manages to get the split with Kansas City, getting home runs from Thurman Munson and Bill Robinson in a 7-4 win. Fred Norman gets the victory, improving his record to 2-0.

Our first interleague stretch is next as we face Cincinnati and San Diego for two games apiece.

Game 21: Bill Madlock and Bill Robinson hit consecutive homers in the first, and Ron Reed doesn't need much more than that. Reed allows one run in eight innings and the Riders beat Cincinnati 5-1.

Game 22: The Steamboats get to Bill Lee early, but the Riders get five straight hits during a five-run seventh inning and Rich Gossage pitches two innings for the save in a 7-5 decision.

Game 23: Somehow the Rider offense continues to put just enough runs on the board to support their pitchers. AAA prospect Tyler McCormick returns to the lineup and hits a key two-run double in the eighth as Milwaukee beats San Diego 4-2. Rich Gossage gets his 10th save.

Game 24: The hitters aren't quite up to the challenge Fred Norman presents in this one; Norman walks six batters in three innings. The bullpen doesn't fare much better, and the Gringos destroy Milwaukee 10-2.

Milwaukee returns to divisional competition with a visit from Oakland. The Zoo has started the year 8-16 but has given Milwaukee trouble in the past.

Game 25: Milwaukee's bats explode for a six-run fourth, bailing Ron Reed out of a tough spot and helping the Riders win the opener against Oakland, 11-8. Richie Hebner hits his first home run of the season.

Game 26: A tense battle turns in the ninth innings as the Zoo scores three times in the top of the ninth, off Larry Demery and Darold Knowles. The Riders cannot answer in the bottom half and fall, 5-2.

Game 27: Bill Robinson and Mike Lum each homers for the third time this season; Jon Matlack pitches six nice innings to improve to 4-1 as the Riders take a 7-2 decision.

Game 28: Oaklan earns a split, pounding out 16 hits against a variety of Milwaukee pitchers (the Riders get five) in a 6-2 win.

More interleague next as we face Pittsburgh (19-9) and the New York Brakers (9-19).

Game 29: This one is a pitchers' duel between Ron Reed and Jim Kaat through seven; Milwaukee breaks through for two runs in the eighth but Rich Gossage falters in the ninth, allowing a two-run double to Jose Cardenal. It's Gossage's third blown save. Richie Hebner blasts a pinch-hit, two run homer in the tenth, Milwaukee adds an insurance run on top, and Dave LaRoche needs only three batters to pick up the save in a 5-2 win.

Game 30: Luis Tiant may not have his best stuff but he's effective when he needs to be, scattering nine hits over seven innings to improve to 4-1 as the Flying Dutchmen return the favor with a 6-2 win in Milwaukee.

Game 31: Milwaukee scores three in the first, adds six more in the sixth, and is never seriously threatened as they beat the Brakers 10-2. Jon Matlack goes seven innings and improves to 5-1.

Game 32: Milwaukee "dominates" the Brakers from the start, but still trail on the scoreboard 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth. Milwaukee has 11 hits to New York's five at that point. With one out, Mike Ivie singles. With Bill Madlock batting, pinch runner Frank Taveras steals second, then scores on Madlock's fourth hit of the game. Tie game. Bill Robinson strikes out. Richie Hebner.. BOOM! Two run homer, Milwaukee wins 4-2.

The Riders head to Minnesota to take on the Mooseheads next.

Game 33: Ron Reed needs only 92 pitches to throw a complete-game shutout. Milwaukee is mostly stymied by Mickey Lolich but does enough to win, 2-0.

Game 34: Milwaukee has only one decent inning at the plate, but it's good enough. The Riders score six times in the seventh and get another two-inning save from Rich Gossage as they beat Minnesota 7-5.

Game 35: Jim Rooker baffles the Riders for seven innings, and Stan Perzanowski does likewise for the final two. Milwaukee doesn't score at all, as the Mooseheads take the finale 6-0.

Interleague sets with Philadelphia and St. Louis are next up.

Game 36: Fred Norman is brilliant, Richie Hebner clubs his fourth homer, and Larry Biittner goes yard for the first time this season as the Riders win at Philadelphia, 6-2.

Game 37: The Milwaukee game is a tight one; Philadelphia scores in the eighth to take a 2-1 lead, but Mike Lum sends the game to extras with a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth. Milwaukee gets Lum to third, but can't score him. Philly's Brian Woodall gets his fourth hit of the game in the 10th; it drives home the lead run for Philly. Prospects Walt Ster and Tyler McCormick start the bottom half with singles, then are sacrificed to second and third. Bill Madlock is intentionally walked to load the bases. Frank Taveras, in the game after pinch running in the ninth, strikes out swinging. Thurman Munson sends one through the hole to center. Woodall fields it and throws home, but McCormick beats the tag to score the winner.

Game 38: The Riders collect nine hits and eight walks in St. Louis, but they don't do much with them. Bill Lee loses to Nolan Ryan, 6-2.

Game 39: St. Louis gets four runs in the first off Jon Matlack, adds five more in the fourth, and is never threatened in an 11-6 win at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee welcomes the return of PL opponents with a visit from Detroit.