It’s only 5 games, but here’s a quick look at whether or not Spring Training means anything.
Spring? We’re So Cold, It’s More Like Winter, amirite?
These are the players who tore the cover off the ball (or were lights out on the mound) during the Spring who have struggled now that the season has started.
#Baltimore Black Sox
Baltimore’s 19 year old OF Bryce Harper forced his way onto the roster with a torrid Spring. He’s hitting .238 so far, but his .429 SLG does hint at the talent there. Of more concern to Baltimore is Curt Blefary, who was supposed to be the slugging C in the middle of the order for the Black Sox, but has started the season with a 154/313/154 line.
#Brooklyn Royal Giants
2B Davey Lopes–another player who became a starter in Spring Training–opened the season at 188/316/188.
#Cleveland Spiders
Rowland Office is struggling with a 150/190/200 start. That may not surprise many people, but Larry Doby‘s struggling to a 136/200/136 start is a bit of a shock.
#Indianapolis ABCs
Johnny Bench is struggling to a 053/182/211 start and surprise platoon starter at 3B Chase Headley has started out 083/083/333. Both Bench and Headley have a single hit: a HR each.
I Yam Who I Yam
Players who have performed over the first few games much like they did in the Spring.
#Chicago American Giants
Ben Sheets was fantastic in the Spring, and continued with 8 strong IP in his opening day win. Likewise, Shoeless Joe Jackson finished the Spring with an OPS around 1.2 and finished his 1st 5 games at 1.226.
#New York Black Yankees
And then there’s Mike Schmidt, who played himself out of a job in Philadelphia, was the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade, and has now started the season hitless for the Black Yankees.
#New York Gothams
Buster Posey continues to be a torrid offensive force, starting the season at 350/350/750.
It Was Just Spring, What Do You Want?
These are the Iverson’s, those for whom Spring Training is a meaningless flurry of sun and windsprints.
#Detroit Wolverines
1B Hank Greenberg had shown signs of life towards the end of Spring Training, and he continued the hot streak right into the games that matter, putting up a 444/522/778 line.
#Memphis Red Sox
After a poor Spring, Reggie Smith performed as soon as the bell rang, starting the year with a 348/423/609 line.
#New York Black Yankees
Lou Gehrig struggled so much in Spring Training there was talk of him starting the year at AAA. Instead, he’s opened the season leading the league with a 538 AVG a 1.154 SLG.