{Each week, we pick one club at random and give them a bit more depth–how they thought the season would go, how it’s going, and what the future might hold. In a nice bit of luck, defending champion Brooklyn is up first.}

The defending champions are 13–12, sitting fifth in the Effa Manley Division but only 3.5 games behind Ottawa. They have scored 124 runs and allowed 117.

	BRK	WBL rank
—	—	—	—
Batting average	.260	4th	5th
On-base	.323	5th	15th
Slugging	.433	9th	5th
OPS	.756	7th	10th
Runs scored	124	8th	10th
Homeruns	31	13th	4th
ERA	4.38	12th	2nd
WHIP	1.25	8th	1st
Strikeouts per 9	9.6	5th	6th
Walks per 9	3.6	16th	7th
Homeruns per 9	1.64	16th	3rd

Brooklyn Royal Giants | 29 April

Such a had league. The offense has improved, even with some significantly poor performances from key people. But the pitching … yeah, they’re still striking people out, but that’s about it when compared to last season.

#How We Thought it Would Go

Brooklyn’s season preview called the job “not to defend a title, but to turn a surprise into a dynasty.” A decent summary: Brooklyn was lightly regarded going into 2001; 2002 sees them wearing Whirled Series rings.

They did not stay still, with pouting ace Don Drysdale and continual surprise John Briggs being the biggest names sent on their way, while Mookie Betts is the most significant new addition to the lineup.

With Drysdale gone, they are betting big on the trio of Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, and, perhaps especially, Smokey Joe Williams to provide a rotation core, and for the bullpen to continue to dominate. There is also pressure on Duke Snider to justify Briggs’ departure, and general concern over offensive regression–especially Mike Piazza and Ron Cey have to land closer to their 2001 levels than what they did in 2000.

#How It’s Going

It’s … OK. Not great, but not an implosion for sure; or, at least, not yet. Here are the current answers to the questions asked in the season preview:

Can the rotation hold? Maybe? The peripherals are good, but the staff has caught a case of homeritis: young Dick Redding has given up 3 per 9 innings, Williams 2.7, and, of the starters, only Hershiser (1-2, 3.74) is doing a decent job of keeping the ball in the park. Still, WHIPs are solid across the board, and 5 starts isn’t enough to get too concerned about. But the overall ERA is high enough for there being some rumbles of complaint.

It doesn’t help that Drysdale is doing very well for Memphis (a 2.82 ERA with 12.9 strikeouts per 9).

How much of Duke Snider is real? This is a concern. Snider is slashing 202/253/404 with 4 homeruns and 30 strikeouts in 95 plate appearances. That’s … not great.

Where does the Whirled Series MVP play? The answer might be AAA. Ray Dandridge has 45 plate appearances as the roving infielder and is slashing 162/244/297. The plan was to find him a near-everyday load without a fixed position; now, he’s struggling to find time anywhere.

That all sounds pretty dire, but the Royal Giants are being carried by the core of Jackie Robinson (323/368/515), Roy White (303/402/487), and Dan Brouthers (337/398/584), with Vern Stephens (270/316/483, 17 RBI) continuing to mash at SS.

In the bullpen, Terry Forster (11.57 in 7 innings) has struggled and Trevor Hildenberger is just recently returned from injury, but Darren Dreifort (1.10 in 16.1) and Ralph Branca (2-1, 3.86) have made up for it, and Eric Gagné (1.00, 5 saves, 16 strikeouts per 9) continues to be a truly elite closer.

The concern is really that Betts (205/261/301)–the return for Drysdale–is struggling mightily, Piazza (257/288/405) has regressed, and Brooklyn’s best player last season, Cey (198/275/383, 24 strikeouts in 91 PA), is yet to really find his bearings.

#The Crystal Ball

Nobody is reaching for the panic button. But …

The focus is on the offense–there is enough signal that the pitching will stabilize. But if the team isn’t able to find more runs in May, look for Dandridge’s time to continue to be reduced, and George Hendrick (200/256/225) to get some of Beals Becker‘s PAs as the team tries to find something new.

#Buy or Sell?

Who knows? The team is committed to contending this year, but not willing to break the bank: they passed on FA Sudden Sam McDowell due to the size of contract he demanded. It was an understandable move, but it also points to Brooklyn not being willing to do anything to improve their chances.

#Stories

CF

The door is open. Snider is at .202 with a strikeout every third trip, and the obvious tactical fallback — sit him against lefties, slide Betts to center, Hendrick to right — isn’t really on the table with Hendrick hitting .200 and Betts .205. The three men who can play center for Brooklyn are hitting a combined .203 with 7 homers. Al Simmons, 21, is hitting .340 at AA and plays all three outfield spots. He may not wait.

Going Gentile Into the Night

Jim Gentile came up to cover Pedro Guerrero and is 5-for-8. Ten plate appearances is nothing — but the DH slot was supposed to be a rotation built on Becker (195/298/341 in 47 PA) and Guerrero. Guerrero started the year very hot, but is on the disabled list. Gentile is a left-handed power bat, not the best fit for Ebbets Field. Still, if he keeps hitting, he’s a DH even after Guerrero’s return.

The Staff

Redding (0-1, 5.57) was the question coming into the year, but Valenzuela (1-1, 5.16) has struggled and those two, along with Smokey Joe (2-1, 5.13), all sport an ERA over 5.00. All 3 are also averaging more than a strikeout per inning, so it’s not clear this is anything more than noise.

The Royal Giants would be in much worse shape if Dutch Leonard (3-0, 3.71) hadn’t shown up somewhat surprisingly.

#Down on the Farm

The preview called this “the best farm system in baseball — it isn’t close.” The names that matter are mostly at AA.

Al Simmons (CF, 21, AA): 340/386/415 in 57 plate appearances, after .262 with 9 homers at A-ball last year. The clock is ticking a bit faster.

Ed Delahanty (2B, 21, AA): 312/380/453 with 2 homers, after .262 and 15 homers at A. He’s a year away, and may end up in LF.

Sonny Jackson (SS, 21, AAA): 316/355/421 in 62 PA, on .341 and .302 at A and AA last year. There’s not any pressure on him due to Stephens’ performance, but he still looks like the long-term solution at shortstop.

Note that none of those are pitchers: there is some good veteran depth, but the promising arms are still a few years away.

#One Number

10. Homeruns allowed by Smokey Joe Williams in 33.1 innings. He is striking out 11 men per 9 and carrying a 5.13 ERA. As The Cyclone goes, so go the Royal Giants.

TWIWBL 101.1: Year 3, Week 4 – Easing Into the Season

By mknn

On September 17, 2026

In TWIWBL

29 April, 2002

#Awards

Al Kaline is the AL Player of the Week for Detroit, on a .400 week with 6 doubles, 2 homeruns and 10 RBI — powered by a 3-double game followed by a 2-homer, 5-RBI day. He is hitting .326 with 7 homeruns.

The NL Player of the Week is the New York Gothams‘ HR Johnson, who hit .400 with 4 homeruns and 9 RBI over 6 games, slugging .960. Johnson is fast becoming a fan favorite for the Gothams, for obvious reasons, but also for confirmation that perhaps they pulled a fast one on the Black Yankees in the offseason with his acquistion.

In the minors: Josh Harrison (New York Black Yankees) took the award at AAA Newark on a 14-for-28 week, and continues to make an argument for a longer trial at the WBL level; Steve Henderson (Los Angeles) took the AA Player of the Week, and Bob Cerv (Houston) won it at A-ball.

#Three Games

{A new section: when I can’t think of better topic for the front page, we’ll highlight 3 games of note from the week that was.}

Cleveland @ Ottawa, 24 April

Two pitchers with lightning in their arms and massive question marks on their futures faced off in Ottawa, with Cleveland’s Bob Feller taking the mound against the Mounties’ Big Question Mark, Randy Johnson. Both did well, allowing only a single run each. Feller’s day was better, with 11 strikeouts in over 6 innings, while Johnson did his usual thing, walking as many as he whiffed (5 of each).

Neither were around for the exciting parts of the game.

First, in the top of the 7th, RBI’s by Tris Speaker and Larry Doby gave Cleveland a 3-1 lead. Then, the Spiders turned the game over to Aroldis Chapman–their key offseason acquisition, who has been even more important with closer Terry Adams hurt for about a week. Chapman has been … awful. Which continued here.

First, he hit Gary Carter, then gave up singles to Álex Rodríguez and Adrián Beltré, loading the bases. And then Ottawa’s manager got creative, first sending pitcher Bill Smith in to pinch run for Beltré and then sending Old Hoss Radbourn, another pitcher, up to hit for the struggling John Olerud. While the fans were scratching their heads–Olerud is obviously better at the plate than Radbourn–Radbourn simply delivered, driving in 2 with a sharply hit single to left.

Chapman got to 2 outs, but no further, as a single from Roberto Alomar plated Radbourn with the winning run.

CLE 3 (Chapman 0-2, 3 BSv) @ OTT 4 (Holland 2-0)
HRs: none.
Box Score

Chicago @ San Francisco, 28 April

After a rough start, San Francisco has begun to right the ship while Chicago has been surprisingly good in the early going. This game felt like the Sea Lions continuing to reassert their dominance … until ….

Hits from Reggie Jackson and Jack Clark were the big blows, each driving in 2, and San Francisco led 5-0 behind easily the best start of the year so far from Tom Brewer. With the strength of the Sea Lions’ bullpen a well known commodity, some fans had even begun to eye the exits.

And then came the 8th.

Charlie Ferguson allowed a single to Jack Doyle before being relieved by Ken Howell. Howell got two outs–strikeouts of Chino Smith and Mickey Vernon–but allowed 2 singles and 2 doubles before giving way to Trevor Hoffman. Cristóbal Torriente doubled in 2, Kevin Mitchell and Travis Jackson had RBIs, and Eddie Collins greeted Hoffman with a double of his own and suddenly the American Giants were, somehow, ahead, 6-5.

They didn’t need it, but Chicago wasn’t done: Smith hit a 2 run shot in the 9th and Jackson drove in 2 more with a double. With Alex Reyes shutting down San Francisco in the 8th and 9th, that was it and the American Giants emerged with a 10-5 victory.

Allen, Collins, and Jackson each had 3 hits for Chicago on the day.

CAG 10 (Reyes 1-0) @ SFS 5 (Howell 1-1; Hoffman 1 BSv)
HRs: CAG – C. Smith (9); SFS – none.
Box Score

Birmingham @ the House of David, 28 April

It was the last game of the week. We were all just tired.

So nobody thought much about it when Paul Konerko blasted a solo shot off Bob Shaw to tie the game 5-5 in the top of the 8th. Given how well the offenses performed earlier, it seemed obvious that more runs were coming (Birmingham’s John Malarkey had surrendered 11 hits and 5 runs in 5 innings, including a 3 run shot by Ernie Banks; Jack Taylor was barely better for the House of David, giving up 4 runs in his 5 innings of work).

But the bullpens decided to change the script. For Birmingham, Al Javery, Akinori Otsuka, Harley Young, and Kerry Ligtenberg combined to allow 3 hits and zero runs over 9 innings of work, while for the home team, Scott Downs, Ed Bauta, Dellin Betances, Fergie Jenkins, and Karl Spooner gave up more hits (6), but were equally effective over 8 combined frames.

So, what happened?

Birmingham turned to Slim Embrey in the bottom of the 16th. And Embrey can’t really be blamed for what happened: he retired Ryne Sandberg, then saw Pete Browning and Ernie Banks reach on errors before Ron Santo singled to load the bases. Embrey then grooved one to Anthony Rizzo, who deposited in the seats for a walkoff grandslam homerun.

Cap Anson, Sandberg, and Santo had 3 hits each for the House of David, and Bobby Grich and Melky Cabrera had 3 for the Black Barons.

BBB 5 (Embrey 0-1) @ HOD 9 (Spooner 2-0; Shaw 1 BSv)
HRs: BBB – Konerko (5); HOD – Banks (6), Rizzo (4).
Box Score

#Player Performance

Four weeks in, the lists are starting to hold their shape. Qualifying is 3.1 plate appearances or 1 inning per team game — about 80 PA and 26 innings.

#Batters

The Ted Williams problem has not gone away. He leads the WBL in batting average, on-base, slugging, runs, RBI, walks and WAR outright, and shares the homerun lead with Indianapolis’ Oscar Charleston at 12. Williams is hitting .434 with a .952 slugging percentage.

As usual, top 2-3 in most all stats below.

Cool Papa Bell (KAN). .203/.292/.291. 8 SB.
John Briggs (MEM). .247/.306/.438. 12 2B.
Pete Browning (HOD). .337/.393/.525. 9 SB.
Rico Carty (PHI). .375/.446/.694.
Oscar Charleston (IND). .304/.345/.676. 12 HR, 29 RBI, 1.8 WAR.
Ty Cobb (DET). .348/.402/.685. 1.5 WAR.
Lou Gehrig (NYY). .311/.398/.711. 24 RBI.
Hank Greenberg (DET). .241/.327/.448. 3 3B.
HR Johnson (NYG). .372/.400/.691. 12 2B.
Willie Mays (NYG). .283/.343/.641. 21 R.
Joe Morgan (IND). .230/.396/.297. 20 BB.
Jackie Robinson (BRK). .323/.368/.515. 13 2B.
Bullet Joe Rogan (PHI). .344/.385/.885. 9 HR.
Babe Ruth (NYY). .228/.384/.608. 9 HR, 19 BB.
Chino Smith (CAG). .277/.307/.699. 9 HR, 22 R.
Turkey Stearnes (SFS). .259/.300/.635. 9 HR.
Roy White (BRK). .303/.402/.487.
Ted Williams (MEM). .434/.542/.952. 12 HR, 28 R, 32 RBI, 22 BB, 2.4 WAR.

At the other end, Los Angeles’s Dobie Moore has now struck out 55 times, 9 clear of anyone else. Moore has shown some signs of life lately, but it’s a deep hole to crawl out of.

#Pitchers

Christy Mathewson of the New York Gothams is the league’s only 5-game winner, sitting at 5-0.

#Starters

Steve Carlton (PHI). 4-1, 1.89.
Whitey Ford (NYY). 3-2, 2.25. .195 BABIP.
Dwight Gooden (LAA). 2-2, 4.41. 1.90 FIP, 1.5 WAR.
Lefty Grove (SFS). 3-1, 3.63. 54 K.
Waite Hoyt (CAG). 4-1, 2.45.
Walter Johnson (POR). 3-1, 2.37. 45 K, 0.82 WHIP, 1.74 FIP, 1.3 WAR.
Dennis Martínez (BAL). 3-1, 3.45. .178 BABIP.
Christy Mathewson (NYG). 5-0, 2.50. 48 K.
Charles Radbourn (OTT). 2-0, 1.38.
Toad Ramsey (HOU). 2-3, 3.28. 1.4 WAR.
Tom Seaver (MEM). 1-1, 1.95.
Smokey Joe Wood (KAN). 2-0, 2.78. 0.77 WHIP.

#Relievers

One more week until we actually have some decent insight into the relievers–for now, here are the 4 closers tied atop the league with 6 saves each.

Rod Beck (SFS). 1-1, 3.00. 6 Sv.
Jack Billingham (POR). 0-1, 4.00. 6 Sv.
Jonathan Papelbon (MCG). 0-0, 3.00. 6 Sv.
Brian Wilson (NYG). 0-1, 2.35. 6 Sv.

#Hardest Shots

Josh Gibson owned the week: a 124 mph solo homerun off Indianapolis‘s Luis Padrón on Saturday was the hardest ball struck by anyone, and he also had a 120 mph double and a 119 mph homerun. Gibson’s overall stats aren’t showing it yet, but the thunder in the bat is clearly still there.

The hardest out was Ted Williams‘s — a 122 mph fly ball to right.

#Injuries

The big one is Bullet Joe Rogan, out about 2 weeks — Philadelphia loses a rotation turn and a bat with 9 homeruns in one move, and he is the fourth Stars pitcher on the disabled list in 10 days. The Gothams lose Dave Righetti for about the same stretch.

Memphis swingman Len Barker and Los Angeles OF Dwight Evans both hit the DL this week as well.

TWIWBL 100.5: Year 3, Week 3 – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On September 6, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
Houston Colt .45’s	11-8	.579	—
Kansas City Monarchs	10-9	.526	1
Wandering House of David	10-9	.526	1
Birmingham Black Barons	8-10	.444	2.5
Indianapolis ABC’s	4-14	.222	6.5

Marvin Miller Division | 22 April

Birmingham Black Barons

Paul Konerko went 4-for-5 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI in a 6-5 comeback victory at Homestead.

Four Black Barons hit the DL inside a week: Bruce Chen, Alejandro Peña, Rube Melton and Asdrúbal Cabrera will all miss at least a week, but none of them are expected to be out much longer than that. The slots were filled by Akinori Otsuka (returning from his own rehab assignment), Bill Phyle, Jess Barbour and Don Cardwell.

Eddie Mathews, hitting .192 at the time, hit 2 homeruns off Dolf Luque in a 5-1 win at Indianapolis.

Houston Colt .45’s

Tony Gwynn will miss 3 about weeks; with a very deep roster, the Colt 45’s opted to deepen their bullpen by recalling Jim Kern.

George Brett hit 2 homeruns as Houston beat Indianapolis 3-0 behind a combined 4-hitter from Toad Ramsey, Kern, Billy Wagner and Tug McGraw.

Kansas City Monarchs

Mickey Welch threw a 2-hit shutout of Brooklyn, 4-0, with 8 strikeouts and a game score of 89 — the highest in the WBL this season. All the offence came in the 2nd on a Merv Rettenmund grand slam.

Wandering House of David

John Beckwith is out about a week. The House of David have enough depth to absorb the PAs (Mark McGwire will see most of the time at DH in the meantime). Jim Clinton was recalled, and slotted straight into the rotation.

Kyle Peterson will miss just over a month, and with Clinton already recalled, the club brought up utility IF Dave Malarcher.

TWIWBL 100.4: Year 3, Week 3 – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On September 5, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
Philadelphia Stars	13-6	.684	—
Ottawa Mounties	11-7	.611	1.5
Homestead Grays	9-9	.500	3.5
New York Gothams	8-10	.444	4.5
Brooklyn Royal Giants	8-10	.444	4.5

Effa Manley Division | 22 April

Brooklyn Royal Giants

The news on Nap Rucker‘s DL stint could have been worse, with the hurler due to miss about 5 weeks. Pedro Guerrero will be out about the same length of time, maybe a little longer, with Jim Gentile being recalled from AAA Queens, where he hit .311 with 47 homeruns last year.

Fernando Valenzuela struck out 10 in 6 innings at Homestead for his first win of the season, a welcome change from the misery of his debut performances on the season.

Homestead Grays

The very promising Tim Lincecum has begun a rehab assignment after a long-term injury.

Ottawa Mounties

Old Hoss Radbourn, Kevin Gross, Ryan Dempster and Billy Koch combined to 1-hit Philadelphia in a game that spanned 2 days due to a rain delay, with the Mounties winning 7-0. Álex Rodríguez hit 2 out in that game and did it again the next day.

Dupee Shaw was injured, with Gary Peters being recalled.

Philadelphia Stars

Bullet Joe Rogan hit 2 homeruns in a 5-3 win at the House of David, then did it again few days later. That’s 9 on the season for the unique 2-way talent.

TWIWBL 100.3: Year 3, Week 3 – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On September 4, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
San Francisco Sea Lions	12-7	.632	—
Los Angeles Angels	11-8	.579	1
Portland Sea Dogs	11-8	.579	1
Chicago American Giants	10-8	.556	1.5
Miami Cuban Giants	9-10	.474	3

Cum Posey Division | 22 April

Chicago American Giants

Sam Streeter struck out 10 for the second time this year, but you wouldn’t know it from his ERA, which tops 7.00.

Los Angeles Angels

Richie Hebner hit 2 homeruns and drove in 4 in a 10-7 win at Portland.

Miami Cuban Giants

Robin Yount hit 2 out of the park in an 8-3 win over Los Angeles. It was a costly win for Miami, as Iván Rodríguez was hurt running the bases and will miss 5-6 weeks. Smoky Burgess was recalled from AAA to back up Chris Hoiles behind the plate.

A few days later Alejandro Oms joined the Cuban Giants on the DL, with Miami recalling reliver Aaron Barrett in hopes of lengthening their bullpen.

Portland Sea Dogs

Sure, Walter Johnson is the best SP in the league right now, but he’s hitting this year, too, sporting a .368 average on the young season.

Joseíto Muñoz struck out 11 in a 7-1 win over Los Angeles, with the Sea Dogs leaving the youngster in there for 142 pitches. That can’t be a great long term plan.

Chuck Klein had a hand in all 4 runs of a 4-3, 11-inning win over Baltimore: 2 solo homeruns, a 2-out single to tie it in the 8th, and scoring the winning run in the 11th. Klein is slugging over .500 as he adjusts to life in the WBL.

Jerry Blevins–hurt since well into last season–has begun a rehab assignment.

San Francisco Sea Lions

Some good pitching has brought San Francisco’s overall performance back towards expectations. Bump Hadley allowed 1 hit in 6 innings with 11 strikeouts, and then Lefty Grove struck out 13 in a 4-1 win over the Black Yankees.

Veteran Tim Hudson was injured while pitching and will miss about 2 weeks. The timing sped up Ron Robinson‘s return, with the reliever being welcomed back after an absence of close to a year.

TWIWBL 100.2: Year 3, Week 3 – Bill James Division

By mknn

On September 3, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
Memphis Red Sox	10-8	.556	—
Detroit Wolverines	9-10	.474	1.5
New York Black Yankees	9-10	.474	1.5
Baltimore Black Sox	6-11	.353	3.5
Cleveland Spiders	5-12	.294	4.5

Bill James Division | 22 April

Baltimore Black Sox

Ned Garvin struck out 11 in 6 innings at Portland — his 2nd double-digit strikeout game of the season.

Cleveland Spiders

Bob Feller fanned 13 in 7 innings, but left trailing 3-2 before Cleveland came from behind to beat Chicago, 6-5.

Bill Steen struck out 11 in an 11-2 win over Baltimore.

Terry Adams–Cleveland’s closer for the past 2 years–has begun a rehab assignment, and should be back this week. It was assumed that, when Adams went down, Aroldis Chapman would take over for the Spiders–2 blown saves and a loss later, and Cleveland can’t get their closer back soon enough.

Detroit Wolverines

Buddy Napier will miss about a month, with Jack Wilson being recalled to cover some middle innings out of the bullpen.

Wander Franco stays on his rehab assignment for now: the Wolverines can’t justify moving on from Damion Easley, who is slashing 500/579/750 as Franco’s utility IF replacement.

Justin Verlander struck out 10 in 6 innings, but surrendering 2 homeruns led to a loss. Verlander continues to frustrate Detroit, alternating between flashes of intense potential and abject failure–he’s 0-1 with a 7.23 ERA.

Memphis Red Sox

The enigma known as Skel Roach will miss about 5 weeks. LHP Jon Lester was recalled from AAA.

Ted Williams hit 2 out in consecutive games, first powering an 8-0 win over New York, then leading a wild 14-10 win over the Black Yankees.

New York Black Yankees

Lou Gehrig drove in 6 in the that 14-10 loss to Memphis.

Rogers Hornsby, who entered the day hitting .122, went 6-for-6 with 3 homeruns and 8 RBI, setting the AL regular-season record for hits in a game doing it. Hornsby ended the day with 16 total bases in a 16-6 win at San Francisco.

TWIWBL 100.1: Year 3, Week 3 – Early Days Yet

By mknn

On September 2, 2026

In TWIWBL

Sort of fun to have made it to a century of TWIWBL’s.

22 April, 2002

There’s just not a lot to write about yet–we have some injuries, we have some potentially impactful rehab assignments, and we have some early performances to track, but it’s all only 3 weeks old.

Probably the most striking thing is the lack of separation–other the abysmal start by the Indianapolis ABCs, who are 4-14, almost all of the league is held in pretty tight clusters around .500.

#Awards

Memphis‘ Ted Williams was named the AL Player of the Week, hitting .400 for the week with 6 homeruns, 13 RBI and 9 runs scored. Four of his homeruns came on a single Wednesday — 2 in a suspended game finished that afternoon, 2 more in the nightcap. Williams’ name will recur a lot this week, as the Red Sox OF is basically tearing the cover off the ball.

The NL Player of the Week is a far less well-known name: Kansas City‘s Mickey Welch threw 18 innings across 2 starts and allowed 1 earned run, giving him a 0.50 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 2 walks, including a complete-game 2-hit shutout of Brooklyn with a game score of 89, the best single start in the WBL this season.

#In The Minors

Elmer Smith (Los Angeles) took AAA Player of the Week honours at Las Vegas, Marquis Grissom (Miami) at AA Havana, and Pat Meares (Portland) in A-ball at St. Paul.

#Player Performance

In general, we list the top 2-3 in all categories, and we’ve usually seen the lists stabilize over the course of a season. It’s very early days, but a lot of the names here are quite familiar.

#Batters

The batting leaders have a Ted Williams problem, as The Splendid Splinter leads the WBL in batting average, on-base, slugging, runs, RBI and walks, and shares the homerun lead — 6 of the 9 categories outright, and a share of a 7th.

Williams shares the homerun lead with Philadelphia‘s Bullet Joe Rogan. Rogan, of course, is doing it while maintaining his spot in the Stars’ rotation. He doesn’t even qualify for the batting rate stats, making his 9 dingers even more impressive.

In addition to Gehrig below, HOM’s Judy Johnson, NYG’s Willie Mays, and CLE’s Arky Vaughan are tied with 2 triples each. KAN’s Cool Papa Bell and SFS’s Frank Grant lead the WBL with 5 SB each.

Roberto Alomar (OTT). 379/425/682. 1.3 WAR.
Pete Browning (HOD). 368/429/632.
Rico Carty (PHI). 389/424/759.
Ty Cobb (DET). 391/427/754. 27 H.
Carlos Delgado (LAA). 261/433/457.
Lou Gehrig (NYY). 318/416/758. 21 RBI.
Grant Johnson (NYG). 362/392/594. 10 2B.
Jackie Robinson (BRK). 301/338/521. 10 2B.
Charles Rogan (PHI). 327/375/904. 9 HR, 17 R.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 232/419/500. 17 BB.
Turkey Stearnes (SFS). 286/318/714. 8 HR.
Ted Williams (MEM). 443/568/967. 27 H, 9 HR, 19 R, 24 RBI, 19 BB, 1.7 WAR.

At the less glorious end, Los Angeles’s Dobie Moore has struck out 40 times in 48 games’ worth of at-bats and is hitting .100. Which is not a lot of return for Tom Seaver, who is pitching like an ace for Memphis.

#Pitchers

Ten hurlers have 3 wins. One of them, Portland’s Walter Johnson has been the best pitcher in the league by a distance, going 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP. Johnson has done this before–he was the best pitcher over the first half of 2000 before fading a bit down the stretch.

San Francisco‘s Lefty Grove leads the league with 49 strikeouts and struck out 13 in a single start himself, the highest total of the young season.

#Starters

A very early list for sure.

Bob Feller (CLE). 1-4, 5.96. 32 K.
Dwight Gooden (LAA). 2-2, 3.86. 1.89 FIP, 1.0 WAR.
Lefty Grove (SFS). 3-1, 3.78. 49 K. 33 IP.
Walter Johnson (POR). 3-0, 1.65. 41 K. 27 IP. 0.73 WHIP, 1.94 FIP, 1.2 WAR.
Dennis Martínez (BAL). 3-0, 2.49. .178 BABIP.
Camilo Pascual (MCG). 3-0, 4.03.
Toad Ramsey (HOU). 2-2, 3.57. 0.9 WAR.
Charlie Root (DET). 1-1, 2.11.
Tom Seaver (MEM). 1-1, 2.01.
J.M. Ward (PHI). 2-1, 2.35. .158 BABIP.
Mickey Welch (KAN). 2-1, 3.62. 27 IP.
Vic Willis (LAA). 2-0, 2.37. 0.74 WHIP.

#Relievers

Too early for rate stats, so we’re looking at the leaders in saves and holds only for now.

Rod Beck (SFS). 1-0, 0.00. 6 Sv.
Dellin Betances (HOD). 0-1, 5.40. 3 H.
Chad Bradford (DET). 2-1, 5.00. 3 H.
Roberto Osuna (HOU). 0-1, 1.12. 3 H.
Jonathan Papelbon (MCG). 0-0, 3.86. 5 Sv.
Harley Young (BBB). 0-1, 2.16. 5 Sv.

#Hardest Shots

Five balls tied at 119 mph this week, from homeruns to singles to a groundout to short: Ted Williams‘s 3-run blast (there’s that man again), Jim Wynn‘s solo shot, Frank Grant‘s double, and Mark McGwire‘s groundball single all at least had positive outcomes. Not so much for Mickey Mantle, who laced a ball on the ground at the same velocity, only to be thrown out 6-3.

#Injuries

Three notable losses this week.

Brooklyn will be without Pedro Guerrero for about 6 weeks, which would usually elicit a yawn, but Guerrero had started the season strong, and leaves a hole in the Royal Giants lineup. Two other high profile names hit the DL as well: Miami’s Iván Rodríguez is out for for 5-6 weeks, and Houston will be without Tony Gwynn for 3 weeks or so.

TWIWBL 99.5: Year 3, Week 2 – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On August 28, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
Kansas City Monarchs	8-5	.615	—
Houston Colt .45’s	7-6	.538	1
Wandering House of David	7-6	.538	1
Birmingham Black Barons	4-8	.333	3.5
Indianapolis ABC’s	2-10	.167	5.5

Marvin Miller Division | 15 April

Birmingham Black Barons

Akinori Otsuka began his rehab assignment, and should be back with the big league team in about a week.

Wandering House of David

Some roster notes for the House of David staff: Bob Rush is out for about 3 months, with Fergie Jenkins sliding into his rotation spot. It’s a short-term move, as Jim Clinton is currently rehabbing at AAA, and is expected back soon. Claude Osteen was recalled to take Rush’s roster spot in the meantime.

Newly acquired Brett Anderson combined with Jimmy Key, Dellin Betances, Karl Spooner, and Ed Bauta on a 4 hit shutout in a 3-0 victory.

Mark McGwire launched his first 2 homeruns of the year in an 8-5 win over Indianapolis.

Houston Colt .45’s

Toad Ramsey, still looking to recapture last year’s form, whiffed 10 in just over 6 innings in a 14-4 win over Birmingham. The game may have carried some other good omens for Houston: Pete Hill, mired in a deep slump, had 2 doubles, drove in 3, and scored 3 times.

Indianapolis ABC’s

Oscar Charleston hit 3 homeruns in a 19-5 drubbing of the Gothams, driving in 5 and scoring 4.

Ed Swartwood started a rehab assignment–in about a week, the ABC’s will have some choices to make on their reserve OF, with Pete Rose having about that long to make an impression.

Kansas City Monarchs

A lot of pitching staff churn: the biggest impact is losing closer Craig Kimbrel for about 3 weeks, although Lee Smith certainly looks up for the interim role. Joe Thatcher heads to AAA on a rehab assignment, as does Earl Hamilton, with Jeff Reardon coming back from his to take one WBL spot and Matt Thornton being recalled for another.

Jock Menefee, Reardon, and Smith combined on a 3-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over the House of David.

TWIWBL 99.4: Year 3, Week 2 – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On August 27, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
Philadelphia Stars	10-3	.769	—
New York Gothams	7-5	.583	2.5
Homestead Grays	7-6	.538	3
Ottawa Mounties	6-6	.500	3.5
Brooklyn Royal Giants	5-8	.385	5

Effa Manley Division | 15 April

Brooklyn Royal Giants

Some roster churn in Brooklyn: Trevor Hildenberger began MiL rehab assignment while Nap Rucker heads to the DL. Eustace “Doc” Newton was recalled from AAA.

New York Gothams

Grant “HR” Johnson has been mashing, hitting 3 doubles in a 16-12 win over Indianapolis.

Dave Righetti–brought over in the same deal that netted Johnson–combined with George Jeffcoat, Vito Tamulis, and Brian Wilson on a 3-hit shutout of the ABC’s the next day, with New York taking the game, 4-0.

Willie Mays hit 2 out against the ABC’s the next day, the only bright spot in a 19-5 drubbing of a loss–a game so bad that Johnson pitched the back end, giving up 7 runs in true mop up duty, but preserving some arms in the beleaguered Gothams’ pen.

The staff did it again later in the week, with Pete Donohue, Masahiro Tanaka, Kent Tekulve, and Wilson holding Kansas City to 3 hits over 10 innings, with the Gothams winning on a Jimmy Sheckard single in the 10th.

Tip O’Neill began a rehab assignment, which should become a more interesting story in about a week. O’Neill is a legitimate 2-way player, and a Rule V choice, so New York may have some decisions to make when he’s ready to be activated.

Ottawa Mounties

Gary Carter had 3 homeruns and 6 RBIs in an 11-2 drubbing of Brooklyn.

Philadelphia Stars

Andrew Payne was recalled to provide some late inning defense after Sherry Magee hit the DL. Payne stepped up to the first PA of his WBL career and launched a 481 foot moonshot off Sandy Koufax for the go-ahead run in a 3-2 win over Brooklyn. Sure, Koufax provided most of the velocity but still .. that ball might still be rolling.

Bullet Joe Rogan just keeps rolling on, as the 2-way star hit 2 homeruns against Brooklyn in a game Harmon Killebrew eventually won with a walkoff shot. Killebrew would add 2 more in a game later in the week, blasting a pair of solo shots in a 6-5 loss to Homestead.

TWIWBL 99.3: Year 3, Week 2 – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On August 26, 2026

In TWIWBL

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
Chicago American Giants	7-6	.538	—
Los Angeles Angels	7-6	.538	—
Miami Cuban Giants	7-6	.538	—
Portland Sea Dogs	7-6	.538	—
San Francisco Sea Lions	7-6	.538	—

Cum Posey Division | 15 April

Chicago American Giants

Mark Buehrle threw a 1-hitter! But … rain ended the game after 6 innings. So, yay him, but not quite the usual celebration. Travis Jackson carried the offense with 2 homeruns.

The American Giants got a combined shutout, also weather shortened, as Waite Hoyt, Wilbur Wood, and Will Smith held Los Angeles to 5 hits in just under 8 innings, with Chicago winning 2-0.

Miami Cuban Giants

Some meh news from the medical staff: there is still no clear date for Julio Rodríguez‘ return from injury.

Jim Whitney, still really trying to find his groove, whiffed 10 in a no decision against San Francisco.

San Francisco Sea Lions

Bump Hadley and Charlie Ferguson split each side of a rain delay, combining on a 3 hit, 11-0 romp over Miami. Ferguson’s 4 hitless innings gave him that odd statistical achievement of a save in a blowout.

Portland Sea Dogs

Walter Johnson (2-0) delivered one of the finest starts of the year in a 2-1 victory over Detroit. Johnson whiffed 13 in 8 innings, allowing only 4 hits and 1 run (a solo shot to Ty Cobb), for a game score of 83 on the day. The Big Train DHs when he pitches (and is hitting .385 with a dinger), and he was key here, doubling in the 8th with 1 out to move the winning run to 3rd.