Thunder land Mike Marshall and Thurman Munson in blockbuster

Four teams involved in trade that sends Nellie Briles, Dave Duncan, Paul Lindblad packing.

March  1, 1969 - Before the beginning of the 1967 season, the Las Vegas Thunder pulled of a 3-Way trade that landed the team Reggie Jackson.  This year, it was a four team deal, and it got them the 3rd Overall pick in the 1969 Draft, which got them Thurman Munson.  The Thunder traded Nelson Briles, Paul Lindblad and Dave Duncan and a 4th RDP away and landed Munson, reliever Mike Marshall and OF/1B Carl Taylor.  "Could not be happier," said owner Michael See, "Thurman is gonna be a great one.  We'll let him spend the year in AAA before giving him a shot next year at becoming out starting catcher."  The Thunder are also high on Mike Marshall, who is said to have a rubber arm and a knack for pitching every day.  In a smaller deal, the Thunder also traded a 2nd RDP to the Eagles in exchange pitcher Jerry Johnson.

Huge trade lands Thunder young stars Joe Rudi and Doug Rader

Team also acquires of Jay Johnstone in the trade, which sends Agee, Sudakis and Dave May packing

February  20, 1969 - The Las Vegas Thunder made a huge deal today, sending CF Tommie Agee, 3B Bill Sudakis, OF Dave May and their 1st RDP (11) packing in exchange for young OF Joe Rudi (left), 3B Doug Rader, CF Jay Johnstone and a 2nd RDP (3).  Some wondered why the team gave up on Agee so fast, but GM Michael See said it was all about the future, "We love Tommie, but to get a solid young replacement like Johnstone, and adding a potential Gold Glove Third Baseman in Rader and a superb player like Joe Rudi, well, we just had to do the deal," said an excited See,  "We also only drop 14 spots in the draft, so we should still get a very good player."  Johnstone will immediately take over in CF, and will provide almost as spectacular defense as Agee and Rader will be installed a third base right away.  Rudi will spend 1969 in AAA and should be ready by 1970, when he should be a cornerstone in left. 

The Las Vegas Thunder show dramatic improvements in 1968

Team finishes with a mark of 76-86, set sights on contending for division title in 1969.

October 2, 1968 - The Las Vegas Thunder got off to a slow start in 1968, but finished fast as they completed the 1968 season with a mark of 76-86.  Their victory total was a 13 game improvement over 1967, and they also owned one of the best road records in the league at 41-34.  Leading the hitters was young Reggie Jackson, who slugged 29 Home Runs and showed why the Thunder are so excited about him.  First Baseman Donn Clenndenon also blasted 22 home runs.  On the mound, Jim "Catfish" Hunter was incredible, winning 20 Games for the first time (20-11) and striking out 186.  But the real hero for the Thunder in 1968 was relief ace Wilbur Wood.  Wood won 11 games, saved 24 (2nd in the league) and had an era of 1.93 in 60 games.  "Wilbah" was named the teams MVP in a vote amongst the players and sports writers for the 1968 season.  Manager Dick Williams was pleased overall with his team "We made great strides this year, and with a little luck, we might even be able to contend in 1969."

Jim "Catfish" Hunter becomes Thunder's first 20 Game Winner!

Thunder's star pitching ace finishes the 1968 season with 20-11 mark with 7 shutouts.

September 23, 1968 - Last season, Catfish Hunter was happy to have won 19 games with a very bad team.  In 1968, his goal was to get that elusive 20th win of the season.  On September 22 against the Cleveland Spiders at home, Hunter reached his goal, securing his 20 victory with a 2-0 complete game shutout.  Hunter game up just 3 hits, walked none and struck out 13.  "That is one of the best games I have ever pitched," said Hunter after being carried off the field by his teammates, "And to have this be my 20th win makes it just that more special."  It should be the first in what looks to be many 20 win seasons for "Catfish" who is already looking forward to some off season hunting.

Thunder acquire young catcher Jerry Grote and pitcher Santorini

"Trader" See deals veteran players in exchange for a young catcher Jerry Grote and starting pitcher.

October 1, 1968 - "Trader" Mike See did not wait long to pull the trigger on some trades following the completion of the 1968 season.  See made two deals right away that filled two of the teams most glaring needs.  The Thunder  dealt veterans Ron Swoboda, Eddie Fisher, Jerry May, George Culver, Horacio Pina and Jim Lefebvre in exchange for C Jerry Grote, SP Al Santorini, top prospects Fran Healy and Fred Stanley.  "Our top priority going into the off season was to acquire a catcher and a starting pitcher, and we did both here," said See, "Jerry will take over the starting job in 1969 and will give us a superb defender behind the plate, and we are very excited about the (Al) Santorini, who we feel is ready to become a pretty good pitcher."

Wilbur Wood and Catfish Hunter lead surprising Thunder.

Thunder roar back to near .500 after slow start lead by Catfish Hunter and relief ace Wilbur Wood.

July 30, 1968 - After a very slow start in 1968, the Las Vegas Thunder have come thundering back in the steaming Las Vegas monsoonal heat, going 26-15 from June 12 to July 30.  Leading the way was the Thunder's ace Jim "Catfish" Hunter (13-7), who during the streak has gone 8-1 with a 2.06 era.  The highlight a one-hitter at the Spiders on June 24, where only the first batter of the game Frank Robinson prevented a perfect game by Catfish.  Newly acquired relief ace Wilbur Wood (7-3, 17 saves), showed why the Thunder wanted him, going 1-0 with 12 saves and a microscopic 0.38 era during the streak.  Other pitching standouts included George Culver, who went 5-3 with a 1.63 era. At the plate, Reggie Jackson finally started hitting, batting .289, 4 HR and 20 RBI, and Donn Clendenon batted .268, with 8 HR and 25 RBI.  The Thunder probably won't contend for the division this year, but at 51-55, things are starting to look better in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Thunder shooting blanks so far in 1968

Thunder have no hitter thrown against them on the road and a record 10 2/3 hitless innings in against them in one game (but they still win it!) 

May 30, 1968 - The Las Vegas Thunder knew coming into the 1968 season that there rebuilding process was still a year away from fruition, but, they thought they'd be a little better.  No.  The Thunder's feeble hitting has resulted in a 24-32 record thru May and having the distinction of having a No-Hitter tossed against them (courtesy of Tom Phoebus and the Black Sox) but also a record 10 2/3 Hitless inning is a game against the Triangles.  Remarkably, the Thunder won that game in 13 innings by a score of one to nothing. (See Box Score)  "It's been a tough year so far," said rookie OF Reggie Jackson, who is hitting a paltry .199, "We have guys pitching lights out like George Culver (who has a 2.45 era in 12 starts) and he's got a 2-8 record to show for it.  We have got to start hitting soon."  Sooner rather than later please?

1968 Rookie and Phase II Drafts net Thunder lots of pitching 

Thunder land pitchers George Stone, Fred Norman and 3b Bill Sudakis on Draft Day.

March 1, 1968 - The Las Vegas Thunder did not have a #1 Draft Pick in the 1968 Rookie Draft, but they came out of the Rookie and Phase II Draft very happy, having landed some much needed pitching and a young third baseman.  The Thunder selected starting pitcher George Stone with their first 2nd Round Pick (3), and with the #1 overall pick in the Phase II Draft, landed young left handed starter Fred Norman. "We are extremely happy to have landed two quality young pitchers," said GM Mike See, "We expect both Stone and Norman to be in our rotation very soon.  The Thunder also added a fine reliever in the draft in Horacio Pina, and another in the Phase II in veteran knuckleballer Eddie Fisher.

Offensively, the Thunder addressed some critical needs.  First, just prior to the draft they traded starting catcher Jake Gibbs for a 2nd RDP.  In turn, they selected young 3rd Baseman Bill "Suds" Sudakis.  Bill could take over at 3rd base next season if the George Scott experiment doesn't work out.  After trading Gibbs, the Thunder looked to the drafts to replace him, and took catcher Jerry May in the Phase II draft and Carl Taylor in the 3rd Round of Phase I.  "May will be our starting catcher this season," said See, "He is great on defense and will handle our young pitching staff well."  Overall, the Thunder front office was pleased with the draft, "It was not a strong draft at all this year, but we felt we did about as well as we could have" added See.

"Knuckling Thunder."  Las Vegas nabs Wilbur Wood in Trade.

Las Vegas trades 1st Round Draft Pick and Ted Kubiak for"Wilbah" and 2nd Round Draft Pick

February 5, 1968 - "Trader See" reached into his pocket of tricks once again on of all days St. Patrick's Day, and pulled out a gem in acquiring knuckleballer Wilbur Wood and a 2nd Round Draft Pick (3) in exchange for the Thunder's 1st Round Draft Pick (5th) and IF Ted Kubiak.  Wood will join Paul Lindblad in what looks to be a strong bullpen for the Thunder, but owner Charlie Finley sees Wood's long term future as a starter.  "We think o'le Wilbah is gonna be a great starter for us in a few years.  We'll let him build up his arm strength for a few years and I bet he'll be starting' 50 games a year for us!"  See had to give up the 5th overall pick to get Wood, but acquiring the 3rd Pick in Round two back should give the Thunder a solid player, while increasing the depth on a much improved roster.  In a minor deal, the Thunder also acquired pitcher Joe Niekro from the Cubs for Barry Moore, who went 1-17 for the Thunder in 1967.

Yet another Trade. Thunder deal for young starter Nelson Briles

"Trader See" trades Ray Culp and Bob Locker

December 24, 1967 - Continuing their effort to bolster a sagging starting rotation, "Trader" See gave Thunder fans a Christmas Eve gift today, acquiring young pitching phenom "Nellie" Briles from the Flushing Rats along with a 3rd Round Draft pick for Starter Ray Culp and the recently acquired reliever Bob Locker.  "Culp had a decent year for us," said See, "But we felt like Briles is just coming into his own and along with Catfish and Don Wilson, will be in our rotation for a long time to come."  

Thunder continue dealing, add slick fielding Mark Belanger

Jesus Alou and Eddie Brinkman are sent packing

December 23, 1967 - After suffering through the 1967 season with a "hodgepodge" of Sonny Jackson and Eddie Brinkman at SS, the Las Vegas Thunder made acquiring a SS on of their top priorities for 1968.  Young Mark Belanger was acquired from the Pocono Pelicans, along with a 4th Round Draft Pick in exchange for SS Eddie Brinkman, starting LF Jesus Alou and pitcher Tommie Sisk.  "Belanger solidifies our middle infield for years to come, said Manager Dick Williams, "He's got the best glove in baseball."  Trading Alou was not easy for the Thunder, but with Reggie Jackson ready to take over, their was no room for him.  Mickey Stanley and Tommie Agee look to be the other two outfielders with Ron Swoboda in the mix as well.

Let the trading begin!  Thunder get fireballer Don Wilson and "Tug" McGraw

Thunder also land  1b Donn Clendenon in deal with Blue Sox

December 21, 1967 - After a dismal 1967, it did not take the Thunder long to begin making roster changes for the upcoming 1968 season.  The Thunder made a huge trade with the Elkhart Electric Eels, trading SP Fritz Peterson, reliever Bruce Dal Canton, SS Sonny Jackson, and a 2nd round draft pick for young pitchers Don Wilson, Tug McGraw, and a 3rd Round Draft choice.   It was surprising to see the club give up on Fritz, but owner Charlie Finley insisted that the hard throwing Wilson would be a welcome addition.  "I like guys who throw hard!, said Finley, "Wilson's got a howitzer, and will embarrass hitters in this league.  Finley also heaped high praise on the youngster Tug McGraw, "Tug is gonna be a great closer for this team one day.  He probably will spend 1968 in Phoenix working on his new screwball, but look for him soon here in Las Vegas"  In another deal, the Thunder landed first baseman Donn Clendenon from the Blue Sox in exchange for Dalton Jones, confirming the rumors that George Scott would be tried at third base.  "We're gonna give Boomer a shot a third base in 1968, said Williams, "We could really use his bat there and Clendenon has already proven he can hit'em over the wall."

1967 Thunder Season in Review.

Thunder suffer through a painful  season but Catfish Hunter still wins 19 Games!