Charles Finley, promotor, showman, and owner of the Kansas City Athletics, had been struggling to maintain fan interest and attendance during a 51-87 season. Having had some success earlier in the season with promotions for "Farmer's Night," "Automotive Industry Night," and "Sportsman Night," Finley now devised "Campy Campaneris Night." The promotion was intended to honor the most popular Kansas City player of the time-the versatile Bert Campaneris-and proved to be a financial success although the theatrics cost the last place A's yet another defeat.

The 23-year-old Campaneris had most often been stationed at shortstop, but had also played third base and outfield. In only his second major league season, the fans' favorite was also his team's current leader in runs, hits, doubles, triples, and stolen bases. Finley's plan was to have Campaneris further demonstrate his all-purpose ability by playing one inning at each fielding position including pitcher. As the game unfolded here's how Campaneris performed:

1st: Campy started the game at his familiar shortstop position and handled no fielding chances. In the bottom of the frame he walked and scored the A's first run.

2nd: He moved to second base and assisted on a pickoff of Ed Kirkpatrick (1-3-4-1-6).

3rd: Bert had no fielding chances while playing third base. Leading off the home half, he grounded out (1-3).

4th: Playing left field, Campy caught a Jose Cardenal fly ball.

5th: Caught a fly ball in center field off the bat of Paul Schaal.

6th: In right field, he dropped a Jim Fregosi fly ball which enabled Albie Pearson to score California's second run. Bert failed to redeem himself as he went down swinging to lead off the bottom half of the inning.

7th: As a first baseman, caught Schaal's fair pop up.

8th: Campaneris took the mound and

got Cardenal on a pop up to second.

walked Pearson on four pitches.

walked Fregosi on four pitches.

on an 0-2 delivery, Joe Adcock singled home Pearson.

struck out Bobby Knoop (called), and catcher Billy Bryan threw out Fregosi attempting to steal third.
As the second A's batter, he grounded out (6-3).

9th: Campaneris went behind the plate and

Kirkpatrick singled and stole second.

Tom Egan walked.

Schaal lined out to center and Kirkpatrick went to third after the catch.

Dean Chance struck out swinging.

With Cardenal at the plate, the Angels attempted a double steal. Campaneris threw to Dick Green at second who stepped up and made a quick return to the plate. Campy had the ball in plenty of time to get Kirkpatrick who decided to try to jar the ball loose by coming in hard standing up. A violent collision sent Campaneris to the ground, but he hung on to the ball for the third out. Campy jumped up and a short shoving match with Kirkpatrick ensued for which Ed was fervently booed the balance of the evening. Campaneris, meanwhile, was sent to the hospital for X-rays which proved negative.

A Kansas City rally in the bottom of the ninth tied the contest at three-two runs coming on singles by Wayne Causey, Jim Landis, Ken Harrelson, and Dick Green.

The Angels finally prevailed in the 13th on K.C. reliever John O'Donohue's wildness. After he walked Knoop, Kirkpatrick bunted, but the pitcher's throw to second was late. Bob Rodgers followed with another bunt which O'Donohue threw past third allowing Knoop to score. A second run scored on Cardenal's sacrifice fly.

Campaneris' dropped fly ball in the sixth and his pitching wildness in the eighth had cost his team the game in regulation. He was probably just as happy the publicity stunt had ended. During the next 16 seasons, aside from three games in the outfield, Campy never manned a fielding position other than shortstop.

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