Route 66 Hot Rods land Hammerin' Henry Aaron

World Champions send 7 players packing in blockbuster

November 24, 1960 - Every year, it seems like GM Frank Lane pulls of a Blockbuster deal.  This year, was no different, as the Hot Rods landed one of the greatest players in the game today in outfielder Henry Aaron.  The Hot Rods Traded seven players to the Evanston Elephants to land Aaron, including their top outfield prospect Johnny Callison, starting outfielder Willie Kirkland, pitcher Don Nottebart, starting 2B Don Blasingame, pitcher Dallas Green, OF Leo Posada and 3B Reno Bertoia.    "No question we gave up a ton of talent," said Lane, "But to get a player like Henry Aaron, a young and future Hall of Famer, we feel like we made a good trade."  Aaron joins Frank Robinson and Orlando Cepeda in what might be the most devastating 1-2-3 punch in SPB History.

Route 66 Hot Rods WIN 1960 World Series Championship!

Jim Landis named 1960 World Series MVP

October 9, 1960 - The Route 66 Hot Rods today won their first SPB-2 Championship, defeating the heavily favored Salzburg Bishops 4 game to one an an exciting come from behind victory.  After dropping game one 8-5, the Hot Rods won the next two games.  Route 66 trailed in the final two games entering the 9th inning, but the team "revved up their engines and made two incredible comeback wins to take the title.  Jim Landis (pictured) was named series MVP, after batting .333 with 9 runs, 4 RBI, 6 walks, 2 SB, 4 doubles, a triple and a home run.  "Jimmy (Landis) just put the team on his back and won this one for us," said GM Frank "Trader" Lane, "Jimmy, Frank, Orlando and the team have made sure that 1960 will always be remembered as the year of the Hot Rods!"

Speedy Willie Davis gets a ticket to join the Hot Rods

Hot Rods are busy after this years draft, trading their 1st and 4th RDP in 1961 for top players in 1960 draft

November 24, 1959 - Frank "Trader" Lane did not have a lot of draft picks in 1960, but he made the most of his 1961 picks to pick up some of the top talent in this years draft, acquiring speedy CF Willie Davis and pitcher Joe Gibbon for the Hot Rods 1961 1st RDP along with OF Floyd Robinson and a 4th RDP.  "We were looking for a players who is a true CF, who might be able to compete with Jimmy (Landis) in a few years, and 3-Dog gives us that player, said Lane,  "There was not one in the 1961 draft we felt we could get who was the quality of Davis, and getting a SP like Joe Gibbon was an added bonus!"

Route 66 Hot Rods trade for superstar Frank Robinson

Hot Rods deal their 1st RDP and OF Jackie Brandt to acquire one of the best players in SPB-2

October 31, 1959 - Frank "Trader" Lane pulled off what is probably the biggest deal in the history of the Hot Rods Franchise today, sending their 1st RDP (2) and OF Jackie Brandt to the Hampton Roads Crusiers for OF Frank Robinson and a 4th RDP.  "It's a biggie," said an elated Lane, "Frank is a true superstar, and could be a future Hall of Famer.  Combined with Orlando Cepeda, they give of one of the top 1-2 punches in SPB."  Robinson already has 107 career home runs and he only turns 25 in 1960, "I am so excited to play for the Hot Rods," said Robinson, "They have a great young team and I am looking forward to helping them win their 1st SPB Title."

Route 66 Hot Rods just two games out of first in August!

Hot Rods continue to amaze the experts, contending with a team full of youngsters

August 1, 1959 - The Hot Rods are 53-47 heading into August and the rubber and bats are burning hot on Route 66!  The Hot Rods are just two games out of first and fans are jumping on the Hot Rods Bandwagon!  Leading the charge had been outfielder Willie Kirkland, who has hit .300 with 13 doubles, and 15 home runs.  The pitching has been outstanding as well, with starter "Bullet" Bob Shaw going 12-6, pitching in 30 games, starting 17, with a 2.95 era.  In the bullpen, Ryne Duren has been unhittable, in 30 games, he has 19 saves with an unbelievable 0.96 era.  Could this be the year of the Hot Rods?  Stay Tuned. 

Hot Rods will once again wear Cinderella Crown in 1959

Creative Trades and Drafting have Route 66 in a position to play spoiler again in 1959.

March 1, 1959 - The Hot Rods are coming into Spring Training once again as young underdogs to win the pennant in 1959, but GM Frank Lane has the team in a position where they can once again surprise some people.  The nucleus of the team is back, with Orlando Cepeda, John Roseboro, Jim Davenport, Luis Aparicio, Willie Kirkland, Don Blasingame and Jim Landis on offense, and  Ronnie Kline, Herb Score, Don Cardwell and Stan Williams on the mound.  But this year a new wave of youngsters will join them.  OF/3B Jackie Brandt and OF Willie Tasby will be a great help on offense and on the mound, 1st RDP Jim O'Toole, starter Glen Hobbie, and relievers Ryne Duren and Lindy McDaniel are ready to excel on the mound.  It should be a fun year for Route 66.

High Octane Shocker!  Hot Rods in 2nd Place going into August

Rookie Orlando Cepeda and strong pitching carries Route 66 into 2nd Place heading into the stretch run.

August 1, 1958 - "Who woulda thunk it?"  Those were the words of Hot Rods GM Frank "Trader" Lane after his team and red hot pitcher Ronnie Kline knocked of the Goshen Aces 3-2, and headed in August in 2nd place with a 54-46 record.  The team has been led by rookie 1b Orlando Cepeda, who is batting .323 with 16 HR and 70 RBI through July.  On the mound, Ronnie Kline has been outstanding, winning 12 games with a stellar 2.42 era.  But can they keep it up?  Manager Bill Rigney thinks so, "No one thought we could do anything this year, but these kids have shown a lot of talent, and a lot of heart.  They my not end up winning the World Series, but they believe they can, can I'm not gonna be the one to tell them they can't!"

Trade Traffic heavy on Route 66 as Hot Rods land future aces

General Manager Frank Lane makes a flurry of trades to help bolster the teams pitching for the future.

February 5, 1958 - Frank "Trader" Lane was at it again this week, making a series of ten trades that have reshaped to pitching staff of the Hot Rods.  Coming to the Hot Rods are some of the top pitching prospects in baseball, including starting pitchers Stan "Big Daddy" Williams, "Bullet" Bob Shaw and best of all, ace reliever Lindy McDaniel. Also acquired were veteran starter Johnny Kucks, and top OF prospect Albie Pearson, considered to be a prime candidate for ROY.   Leaving Route 66 are Don Mossi, Russ Kemmerer, Gene Freese, Gino Cimoli, Don Lee, Brooks Lawrence and Danny McDevitt.  "We did not like the makeup of our pitching staff," said new manager Bill Rigney "So after talking it over with Frank, we decided to have a fire sale!"  "We really felt like we got three of the finest young pitchers in the game today," added Rigney, "And a nice OF prospect as well, plus, adding a young veteran of the likes of Johnny Kucks will be a great boost for our young pitchers.

Route 66 Hot Rods make "Giant" steps in rebuilding process

The Hot Rods wheel and deal at the 1958 Rookie Draft.

February 1, 1958 - Route 66 GM Frank "Trader" Lane lived up to his reputation on rookie draft day, trading his way into some great picks for the Hot Rods.  After selecting Orlando Cepeda with the top pick, Lane made a huge trade, sending pitcher Stu Miller, OF Wally Moon and a pick in the Phase II Draft to the South River Gladiators for OF Johnny Callision and 3B Jim Davenport.  "We are getting younger," said an excited Lane, "Johnny and Jim are two more cornerstones for us.  Both are great prospects and will make an impact very soon."  Lane was not finished.  He then selected OF Willie Kirkland with another 2nd RDP he had acquired, then landed two more top prospects in OF-1B Norm Larker and 2B Jerry Adair, "It does not get much better than what we were able to do today," added Lane, "Willie will take over in right field for us this year, and Norm should play a lot as well.  We made some giant steps forward today."