Wenatchee Packers

87-75, third in the NCL
April: 10-10. May: 16-13. June: 16-11. July: 17-8.
August: 11-18. September: 15-12. October: 2-3.

First season: 79-75, fourth

NOTES
Wenatchee made a bit of a run at the end of September and wasn't eliminated from the pennant race until the second to last week of play. That would be to say the race was closer than it seemed; while the Packers finished third, they also finished 13 games off the pace.

Packer statistics

What went right?
The Packers got an MVP caliber season from Hank Aaron, who hit .319, had 48 home runs, and led the league with 132 RBI. After a couple of months of zero offensive production from Bill Mazeroski, Alston rolled the dice and installed Dick Allen as his second baseman. Allen responded with a .330 average, 33 homers, and 117 RBI. Alston still couldn't find enough playing time for Orlando Cepeda, who hit .373 in 185 AB. Lou Brock stole 44 bases to lead the league. Bob Gibson at 18-12 was a fringe Cy Young candidate, and Juan Marichal was 15-11.

What went wrong?
Wenatchee could have used a couple of starters. After Gibson and Marichal, their next biggest winner was relief ace Ron Perranoski, who went 11-8 with 13 saves. Gaylord Perry (5-14, 5.20) and Sandy Koufax (8-16, 5.59) were particularly disastrous.