1962 Fantasy Astrology Recap
View the 1962 FABL Lineups Here!
1962 saw the addition of two new teams in the National League: the New York Mets and the franchise that would later become the Houston Astros. That means that, in reverse-chronological terms, 1962 is the LAST year where the Major Leagues had as many as 20 teams – that is, until the Negro Leagues in the late 40’s, which of course were not recognized as Major Leagues at the time. But given that it’s already tough to find enough players to fill out the Fantasy Astrology rosters, AND the two more teams we’re slated to lose after 1961, the writing could be on the wall for how long I can keep this project up.
But for the moment, we get to enjoy yet another season of Leo dominance, the fifth time in six years (and counting (backwards)) that they would win the FABL points title. Don Drysdale (3,316 / 77.1), Vada Pinson (2,359 / 15.2), and Rocky Colavito (2,358 / 14.6) were all on their games, but it was somewhat surprisingly Kansas City Athletics first baseman Norm Siebern (2,492 / 15.4) who was the lineup lynchpin of the ’62 Lions. Sticking with the Positive Polarity, even though Libra were the runners-up, the Scales had the real-life MVP’s of both leagues: Dodgers 100-steal speedster Maury Wills (2,769 / 16.8) and Yankees injury-prone center fielder Mickey Mantle.
Just like in 1963, Taurus had trouble filling out their starting lineup, with not a single player who qualified (at least 20 games) at first base or second base. But unlike ’63, the Bulls won the Earth Division outright, even with zero fantasy points from either of those two positions. This was thanks to an offense that featured not only Willie Mays (3,152 / 19.5), but also FOUR other 2,000-point scorers: outfielders Leon Wagner (2,205), Floyd Robinson (2,201), and Felipe Alou (2,124), and third baseman Ken Boyer (2,158). Plus, the two players I cheated at first and second weren’t too shabby either: legendary fielder Brooks Robinson (1,994 - who would obviously play third with K. Boyer shifting over to first), and Chuck Hinton (1,951 - who had 12 games at the keystone in 1962).
Going back to Mays, he and Virgo right fielder Frank Robinson (3,150 / 19.5) were the last batters to score 3,000 fantasy points in a season until Joe Morgan in 1976. What’s curious about these two almost-identical seasons is how they were recognized by All-Star voters. From 1958 to 1962, MLB played two All-Star Games per season. Mays started both of them for the NL in 1962, while Robinson was only named to the second of the two games for the AL… as a reserve! As I am not an All-Star historian, I have no explanation for this discrepancy.
That brings us to the winners of the Water Division, my very own hometown sign, the Cancer Crabs! The frequently pitching-starved sign finally drew a legitimate ace in Cincinnati’s Bob Purkey (2,843 / 76.8), but they still struggled to find enough starting pitchers to fill out a five-player rotation. Only four primary starters (more games started than relief appearances) were born under the Cancer sign. Although they did have four utility-type pitchers (more than 10 games started, but more relief appearances than starts) ready to step in, led by Eddie Fisher (1,649 / 28.9) of the White Sox. But even without those points, the Decapods still beat out Scorpio and Pisces, which both finished in the bottom quarter of the league.
As great as Purkey was for Cancer in 1962, he lost out to Capricorn’s ace Ralph Terry (2,948 / 68.6) for the Negative Pole’s Cy Young Award. Terry also won the real-life World Series MVP for a Yankees team at the tail end of a dynasty. While the Positive Pole didn’t have a 3,000-point scorer, Hammerin’ Henry Aaron (2,944 / 18.9) of Aquarius did come painfully close, with Tommy Davis (2,894 / 17.8) of Aries close on his heels. Speaking of the Rams, for the fourth time that I can remember, the league’s top relief pitcher was also the top rookie, with Boston’s closer Dick Radatz (2,217 / 35.8) earning both awards. His NP rookie counterpart was Virgo shortstop/left fielder Tom Tresh (1,988 / 12.7), while the other polarity’s Reliable Reliever was Roy Face (1,825 / 29.0) of the last-place Pisces Fish.