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Series IV Featured Matchup – Portland Sea Dogs @ Detroit Wolverines

On May 10, 2021

The Detroit Wolverines (6-8) host the Portland Sea Dogs (8-6) for four games (series preview here).

Game One: Bert Blyleven v Si Johnson

Game one pitted Portland’s Bert Blyleven against Detroit’s Si Johnson. The game was a blowout for a while, with the Sea Dogs leading 8-1 through 7 innings, led by HR’s from Kent Hrbek, Bobby Murcer, and Joe Mauer. Blyleven had easily his best start of the year, with Bob Bailey‘s double in the bottom of the 8th only the 4th hit he allowed. Johnson, on the other hand, was chased after 6 IP, replaced by Gene Conley, who was pretty miserable, giving up 3 runs in 1.2 IP.

In the 8th, Blyleven retired Jimmy Collins, and was then relieved by Frank Williams, who came in to face Chili Davis … who took him deep for a 2 run HR.

Detroit would add 2 more in the bottom of the 9th, but it wasn’t enough, and Portland opened the series with a win. Mauer ended the day 3-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs, with Harry Hooper, Hrbek, Murcer, and Jeff Burroughs each chipping in with 2 hits apiece. Detroit’s Geoff Jenkins had 2 hits and 2 runs scored.

Blyleven finished with a Game Score of 71 (7.2 IP, 4 hits, 10 strikeouts), upping his record to 2-1 and Johan Santana got the final out for his 7th save.

Game Two: Smokey Joe Wood v Whitey Wilshire

Detroit would look to Whitey Wilshire to even up the series against Smokey Joe Wood. Oscar Gamble would put the Wolverines in front in the bottom of the first, ripping a double that scored Jim Fregosi and Gil Hodges. They would double their lead in the bottom of the 4th when Hank Greenberg took Wood deep for a 2-run HR.

Portland would finally break through in the top of the 5th on back to back singles from Kiki Cuyler and Fregosi. They pulled off a double steal, allowing Cuyler to score on a groundout by Hodges. But Jimmy Collins and Chili Davis would hit back-to-back HR’s in the bottom of the inning, pushing Detroit’s lead to 6-1.

Wilshire was replaced by John Hiller and Kevin Hart, who were pretty rough, giving up 3 runs in the 9th. But it was enough to close out the game with Detroit winning 6-4.

Hodges was the offensive star, finishing the game 2-3 with 4 RBIs. Ivan Rodriguez and Fred Dunlap added 2 hits each. For Detroit, Collins continued his strong start with a 2-3 day, 2 runs, and 1 RBI.

Wilshere did well for the win, allowing only 1 run in 6.2 IP, improving his record to 2-1 while Wood fell to 1-2. Mike Cuellar and Jim Kern were good for Portland in relief of Wood, combining for over 3 IP of scoreless relief.

Game Three: Walter Johnson v Long Tom Hughes

With the series tied 1-1, Portland turned to Walter Johnson, who came into the game with a 2-0 record, against Long Tom Hughes for Detroit. This was an old-fashioned blowout with Portland scoring 13 times on 17 hits. Buddy Bell went 5-6 with 2 runs scored, Bobby Murcer went 2-4 with 4 RBIs, Jeff Burroughs scored 3 times, and Smokey Joe Wood atoned some for his pitching performance the previous day, walloping a 3 run HR as a pinch hitter.

Hughes gave up 6 runs in 3 IP, and while Gene Conley bounced back with a scoreless 3 IP, Justin Verlander–who had been fantastic so far this season–gave up 7 runs (3 earned) in 1.1 IP.

Johnson improved his record to 3-0 with 7.2 dominant IP, allowing only 3 hits while fanning 7.

Game Four: Jerry Koosman v Hank Aguirre

In the final game, Detroit will look to Hank Aguirre (1-2) to even the series against Portland’s Jerry Koosman (1-1). Both starters struggled over 4 innings, but Aguirre managed to skate through, allowing a single run in 4 IP despite walking 4. Koosman was far less effective, given up 10 hits and 6 runs in his time.

Frank Williams and Elmer Brown followed Koosman, with each of them giving up runs as well, while Johnny Marcum and John Hiller combined for 5 innings of 3 hit, shutout ball for Detroit. Marcum got the win, giving the Wolverines the series split.

Bob Bailey and Chili Davis had 3 hits and 3 RBIs each, with Bailey and Ty Cobb hitting HRs. Ivan Rodriguez had 2 hits for Portland.

Previewing Series IV – Portland Sea Dogs @ Detroit Wolverines

By mknn

On October 8, 2020

In Series Previews, TWIWBL

The Portland Sea Dogs (8-6) travel to Detroit to take on the Wolverines (6-8) in a 4 game series.

Game 3 may be the one to watch, as both scheduled starting pitchers head into the contest with records of 2-0. Portland’s Walter Johnson (2-0, 3.05) has pitched far better than Detroit’s Tom Hughes (2-0, 5.19), which would seem to give the Sea Dogs the edge.

Portland is hitting well: their .391 team OBP is 1st in the league, and their .879 OPS is 2nd. The Sea Dogs are led by 3B Buddy Bell (362/444/745 with 5 HRs), C Joe Mauer (353/463/676) and CF Bobby Murcer (378/481/600). Bell and Murcer have 12 RBIs, with 1B Gil Hodges leading the team with 13.

Bert Blyleven–who will start the opening game–has struggled in his 2 starts, sporting an ERA of 10.32. Other than Johnson, all of Portland’s SPs have issues, but the bullpen has been fantastic, with the trio of Johan Santana, Frank Williams, and Elmer Brown combining to allow only 3 ERs in 17 IP. Santana leads the league with 6 saves.

Detroit’s offense has been solid, but their pitching has struggled quite a bit. It is unlikely that Hal Newhouser recovers from his injury in time to start game 4 of the series, so Detroit will try to limit Justin Verlander‘s relief appearances so he can take that start. Verlander has been so dominant out of the bullpen, however, that the start may go to Jason Schmidt instead.

Offensively, OF Oscar Gamble (304/458/609) has been the Wolverines’ best hitter, leading the team with 4 HRs. Ty Cobb–kept on the roster despite a horrid Spring Training–is pushing for more playing time as the 20 year old is now hitting 346/370/538 as a reserve. The Bailey Boys–3B Bob and C Ed–continue to impress, with each maintaining an OPS around .900.

TWIWBL 4.2: A Day Off!

By mknn

On October 1, 2020

In TWIWBL

Wednesday, April 12th is an off-day throughout the league, allowing all 20 teams to review their rosters, lineups, and pitching staffs. Some things changed (actually, lots of things changed, here are some notable ones).

#Chicago American Giants

Lee Meadows‘ horrific start to the season–32 hits in 12 innings leading to an 0-3 record and a 16.05 ERA has cost Meadows his spot in the rotation. He’ll be replaced by Ed Walsh, and Meadows may find himself at AAA if he can’t contribute from the bullpen.

#Houston Colt 45s

Ice Box Chamberlain is trying to pitch himself out of the rotation, allowing 26 hits in 15 IP with an ERA of 8.80. The problem is neither of the options on the roster–Scott Erickson (11.42 ERA) and Dock Ellis (15.43)–have done anything of note. Clearly, some roster juggling may be on tap, but those 3 are going to get another appearance or 2 before that happens.

#Los Angeles Angels

Brian Downing and John Stearns have combined for 3 hits in 54 ABs at C for the Angels. Downing retains a roster spot due to his defensive flexibility, but Stearns is sent down to AAA with Jim Stephens–who has started red hot at 429/500/1048 in the minors–coming up to the big leagues.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Sandy Consuegra has put up eye-poppingly bad numbers so far: 17 hits in 6 IP, with opposing hitters managing a .593 average against him. That moves him out of a setup role in Miami’s bullpen, all the way down to AAA. Alex Colome has been recalled to take his place. Don Newcombe and Eustaquio Pedroso have swapped places, with Newk taking Pedroso’s spot in the rotation.

#Ottawa Mounties

Larry Walker was recalled from his rehab assignment, with Rick Monday heading down to AAA. Greg Holland has a 2-0 record, but he’s been absolutely hammered in his 5 appearances, giving up 13 hits in 4.2 IP for a 17.36 ERA with opposing batters hitting .500 against him. That sends him to AAA despite the victories with Chris Leroux hoping to help out in Ottawa in return.

TWIWBL 4.1: Notes from Series III

By mknn

On September 30, 2020

In TWIWBL

The New York Black Yankees saw their 10 game winning streak come to an end in a 4-2 loss to the Wandering House of David. The Black Yankees are tied with the Kansas City Monarchs for the best record in the league at 11-3, with the Brooklyn Royal Giants the only other team with double-digit victories. Those 4 teams–New York, Wandering, Kansas City, and Brooklyn–each lead their divisions.

Two decent hitting streaks are still intact: Babe Ruth has a 14 game streak (see below for a dramatic extension by Ruth) and the Baltimore Black Sox‘s Dan McGann has hit safely in 13 straight games.

Philadelphia‘s Ray Collins and Brooklyn‘s Don Drysedale are the only 3 game winners in the league (both are 3-0), and Portland‘s Johan Santana leads the league with 6 saves.

Houston‘s George Brett hit .538 with 2 HR’s and 7 RBIs to win the WBL Player of the Week.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Orel Hershiser (1-0) gave up only 5 hits while striking out 8 in a complete game victory over Cleveland. Hershiser’s only mistake of the day was a 2-run HR to Evan Longoria as the Royal Giants eased to a 6-2 win.

#Cleveland Spiders

Cleveland has basically created a fast shuttle between their AAA affiliate in Buffalo and the big leagues. Just across these five games, here’s who used it:

With John Ellis no longer carrying an injury, the Spiders demoted Harry Bemis.
Jim Gantner was called up from AAA to provide some depth at 2B behind Chuck Knoblauch.
Whit Wyatt returned from the DL, sending Sudden Sam McDowell down.
Yordano Ventura was put on the IL even though the Spiders were, at the time, unsure as the extent of his injuries (turns out to have been fine, Ventura is out for 4 months with bone spurs).
With the OF totally gassed and lacking depth, Peanuts Lowrey was called up.

Not all news for Cleveland was injury related: Bob Feller moved to 2-0 with 8 shutout innings against Brooklyn in a 9-1 Spiders’ victory.

#Detroit Wolverines

Phenom Ty Cobb continues to press for more playing time, going 3-for-4 with a HR in a start against Kansas City.

#Homestead Grays

With Corey Kluber still injured, Homestead recalled Cliff Lee for an emergency start. Lee was excellent, leading the Grays to keep him on the roster at the expense of Bill Fischer, who had struggled in a few early season appearances.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Bret Saberhagen was still not 100%, so the Colt 45’s did some roster juggling, sending Saberhagen to AAA for a day and recalling David Clyde. Clyde was lit on fire in his start, and sent right back to AAA after the game.

Roy Oswalt (2-1) combined with Trevor Hoffman for a 6 hit shutout against Portland.

#Kansas City Monarchs

The Monarchs’ Luke Hamlin–of all people–threw the best start of the year so far, allowing only 1 hit over 7 innings against Detroit while striking out 11. Neither Frank DiPino nor Jeff Pfeffer allowed a hit in closing the game out for a 1-0 Kansas city win.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Ramon Martinez tied the best game score of the year with a 5-hit complete game shutout of Chicago that took only 94 pitches, earning his first victory of the year.

#New York Black Yankees

With a 12-game hitting streak on the line, Babe Ruth came to the plate as a pinch hitter with his team down 2 in the bottom of the 9th and a runner on first. Ruth deposited Tom Niedenfuer‘s pitch in the left field seats for his 4th HR of the year to tie the game, extending his streak to 13 (New York would lose the game 5-4 in 13 innings).

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Lefty Grove continued his dominant start to the year, pitching 8 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball while striking out 11 against Ottawa to go 2-0 on the season. Grove’s game score of 80 was the best in the league to date (later surpassed by Hamlin).

#Wandering House of David

OF Pete Browning continued his torrid start with a 4-for-4 game against the Black Yankees with a 2B, a 3B, and 2 RBIs to key a 13 inning HoD victory.

TWIWBL 4.0: Series III – Birmingham Black Barons @ Memphis Red Sox

By mknn

On September 29, 2020

In TWIWBL

Between them, Birmingham and Memphis had only managed 4 wins on the young season. Something had to give as they faced off for 5 games.

Behind a good start from Roger Clemens, Memphis carried a 5-2 lead into the 7th inning, but then it fell apart as the Black Barons put a crooked number on the scoreboard: Eddie Mathews led it off with a solo HR, and after 3 walks from Clemens, Billy Southworth sent a pitch deep into the night for a grand slam. Mookie Betts and George Scott hit HRs in the bottom of the 9th, but it wasn’t enough, and Birmingham held on for the 8-7 victory.

Dean Chance won game 2 for Memphis to tie the series at 1 game each, throwing 6.2 IP without allowing an earned run (Birmingham scored 3 times, helped by an error by Memphis SS Vern Stephens). Tim Wakefield and Jon Papelbon completed the game without allowing a hit. The final score was 4-3, with Chance moving to 2-0 on the year.

Game 3 was another 1 run affair, this one going to Birmingham by a score of 3-2. Alejandro Pena got his first win of the year, moving to 1-2 and hanging a tough loss on Memphis’ Nixey Callahan, who pitched well enough to win. Mathews’ 2nd HR of the series–a solo shot in the top of the 7th inning–proved the decider.

Birmingham’s Scott Baker allowed only 4 hits in 7 IP, and the Black Barons’ bats woke up in the 4th game of the series as they eased to a 9-2 win. Frank Isbell went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI’s and Chipper Jones and Hank Aaron went deep as both Sadie McMahon and Wakefield got hit hard, giving Birmingham a 3-1 edge in the series.

Warren Spahn came into the 5th and final game of the series with an ERA over 20. After allowing no runs over 7 inning of 5 hit ball, it had been cut nearly in half: still an embarrassing double-digit number, but a good sign for Birmingham fans. Memphis’ Jon Lester was nearly as good, allowing only 1 run in his 7 innings, but it was all the Black Barons needed, as Spahn was followed by Juan Rincon and Carlos Diaz in near-perfect relief. Birmingham won the game 1-0, taking 4 of 5 games in the series as well.

There wasn’t a ton of offense in the series: in fact, only 2 players really performed well at the plate across the 5 games. For Birmingham, Isbell was on fire, going 8-for-19 with 4 RBIs in his 4 games. Betts had 5 hits for Memphis, including 2 HRs, making an argument for additional playing time.

The result leaves both teams at 4-10, tied for the worst record in the league.

TWIWBL 3.2: Previewing Series III

By mknn

On September 13, 2020

In TWIWBL

Series III has all teams playing 5 games.

We’re going to focus on two struggling teams in the 3rd series, as the Memphis Red Sox (3-6) host the Birmingham Black Barons (0-9) for 5 games.

Clearly, the question here is when Birmingham will get their 1st win of the year. As a team, the Black Barons are at 220/283/383, giving them the 2nd worst OPS in the league (ahead of only Los Angeles), but it’s not like Memphis is tearing the cover off the ball at 250/342/377. The real struggle for Birmingham is the team ERA of 9.24, easily the worst in the league. Now, that’s a bit inflated coming off a horrible series against the Black Yankees, but still.

Memphis’ pitching has been a little bit better than league average, led by their bullpen, which has been fantastic, posting the 2nd best ERA in the WBL. If the starters can improve on their 5.94 mark, the Red Sox should recover nicely.

Elsewhere, we’ll see if the Wandering House of David (6-3) can do anything to slow down the New York Black Yankees (8-1) as they pay a visit to the Bronx. The Kansas City Monarchs, sporting the 2nd best record in the league at 7-2, host the Detroit Wolverines.

TWIWBL 3.1: Notes from Series II

By mknn

On September 12, 2020

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Frank Robinson went 9 for 19 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs as Baltimore took 3 out of 4 from Chicago.

#Birmingham Black Barons

The Black Barons remain winless on the season after dropping 4 to the New York Black Yankees … Warren Spahn and Scott Baker have both been torched in their 2 starts. Both are 0-2, with Spahn’s ERA ballooning above 20 … Dale Murphy is hitless on the year, starting the season 0 for 14; while Eddie Mathews and Chipper Jones went hitless for the series … Gene Tenace at 286/400/714 is about the only bright spot for Birmingham offensively.

#Chicago American Giants

RP Ken Sanders has yet to allow a hit over 4 appearances … Shoeless Joe Jackson hit .500 in the 4 game series against Baltimore.

#Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders sent SP Hardie Henderson to AAA to make room for Bill Steen‘s return from the DL, but the injuries kept coming as OF Rowland Office will be unavailable for the next 2 weeks and SS Bill Dahlen was put on the 10 Day DL … Rick Burleson was recalled to take Dahlen’s place … Larry Doby–considered a key to the Spiders’ success this year–went 3 for 18 in the 4 game split with Los Angeles … looking for some more flexibility, the Spiders recalled Tom Brookens from AAA, sending down Robby Thompson.

#Houston Colt 45’s

3B George Brett went 9 for 19 with 5 RBIs in a 4 game series with Homestead, but Houston only managed a single victory.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

With Joe Morgan out for 10 days, the ABC’s recalled Lonny Frey from AAA … Hal Morris continued his hot start, going 7 for 15 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs as Indianapolis swept a 4 game series from Memphis.

#Kansas City Monarchs

The Monarchs relievers have been fantastic, with Frank DiPino, Craig Kimbrel, and Adam Wianwright combining for 7 scoreless IP out of the pen and Jeff Pfeffer has 3 saves … Albert Pujols led the Monarchs to 3 victories in 4 games against Houston with 9 hits in 15 ABs, including 3 2Bs and a HR.

#Los Angeles Angels

Larry Anderson and Chuck Finley have been great out of the bullpen, each going 1-0 without giving up a run in a combined 10.2 IP, placing Finley in line for the next spot start … Don Buford had a rough series, going 1 for 14.

#Memphis Red Sox

When David Bush went on the DL, the Red Sox had to scramble a bit, resulting in Tim Wakefield and Eddie Cicotte joining the WBL roster and Derek Lowe being sent back down to AAA … Joe Beggs, Dean Chance, Turk Farrell, and Wakefield have combined for just shy of 20 bullpen innings, giving up a total of 8 hits and 0 runs, which you would think would result in better results than being swept in 4 games against Indianapolis … 3B Wade Boggs, Vern Stephens, and Ted Williams combined to go 5 for 46 (.109) in the 4 games.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Eustaquio Pedroso has been absolutely rocked in 2 starts, giving up 13 hits and 9 runs in only 4 IP and–not surprisingly–going 0-2.

#New York Black Yankees

The Black Yankees scored 42 runs in sweeping a 4 game series from Birmingham … Babe Ruth went 9 for 18 in the series, which is nothing compared to Eric Davis‘ 7 for 16 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs.

#Ottawa Mounties

The injury to Gary Peters–and general overusage of the bullpen–led to the Mounties’ recalling Felix Hernandez for a start, then sending him down in exchange for Monk Dubiel. Hernandez did well, giving the Mounties 7 decent innings, keeping him in line for future promotions. Dubiel was better, keeping the Mounties in the final game of the series, allowing 3 runs in 7.2 IP … Old Hoss Radbourn has been spectacular in 3 relief appearances covering 8.2 IP, putting him in line for a start in the near future … there was plenty of blame to go around as Ottawa was swept by Philadelphia in a 4 game series, but much of it goes to 1B Carlos Delgado and OF Terry Puhl, who combined for only 4 hits in 25 ABs.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Jack Clark struggled in a series against the Wandering House of David, managing only 2 hits in 17 ABs … at the other side of the spectrum, Bobby Bonds is on fire, going 8 for 13 with 5 RBIs in the same series.

#Wandering House of David

The House of David’s bullpen has been pretty fantastic, with Tom Niedenfuer, Joakim Soria, Bruce Sutter, and Dick Tidrow combining for 11 IP without giving up a run and Rollie Fingers managing a 1.69 ERA in 5.1 IP … Elrod Hendricks cooled off significantly as the House of David took 3 out of 4 games from San Francisco, managing only 1 hit in 12 ABs.

TWIWBL 3.0: Series II – Brooklyn Royal Giants @ New York Gothams

By mknn

On September 11, 2020

In TWIWBL

This time up, we’re heading for a Subway Series between the Brooklyn Royal Giants (4-1) and the New York Gothams (3-2).

Brooklyn may be better built for the future than this year. A lot of their success will depend on how a pair of youngsters, 21 year old Dutch Leonard and 20 year old Don Drysedale, do in the starting rotation. Roy White and Duke Snider look solid offensively, but any team with 2 Spring Training insertions in the regular lineup (2B Davey Lopes and RF Raul Mondesi) is taking a lot of risk.

The Gothams, on the other hand, could be contenders this year. Christy Mathewson anchors what should be a deep pitching staff, and especially if Buster Posey continues to produce at an all-league level, a lineup with the 2 Willie‘s–Mays and McCovey–should score some runs.

The first game matched up the aces, as Leonard faced off against Mathewson. Leonard was fantastic in his first start; in this one, not so much as New York rocked him for 9 runs in 5.2 IP. Mays paced a 17 hit attack for the Gothams, going 4 for 5. Most of the damage was in the 3rd, when the Gothams scored 5 runs with Art Fletcher driving in 2 runs with a 1-out double. Newly acquired 2B Cookie Rojas chipped in with 3 hits, 2 runs, and 2 RBI’s, allowing New York to overcome a mediocre start by Mathewson that saw him surrender 4 runs in 6 IP. Still, it was enough: New York got the win 12-5 and both pitchers leveled their records at 1-1.

New York was on the verge of taking a 2-0 lead in the series, taking a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the 8th on 4 consecutive singles from Rojas, Eugenio Suarez, Mark Loretta, and Posey. Ron Cey singled to lead off the 9th for Brooklyn, bringing in Gotham’s closer, Brian Wilson. After a walk to Jim Delahanty, Wilson gave up a 2 run double to White, sending us into extra innings. It remained scoreless until the 15th inning, when Cey and Dickie Thon managed to drive in runs. Brooklyn closer Watty Clark pitched the final 4 innings, giving up only 1 hit and earning the victory, 7-5. The loss went to New York’s Mike Norris, who was tagged for those final 2 runs in 3.2 IP of relief.

With the series tied 1-1, game 3 saw Brooklyn’s Don Sutton taking the mound against New York’s Sad Sam Jones. A solo HR in the top of the 5th by Brooklyn’s Beals Becker increased the Royal Giants’ lead to 3-1, but the Gothams would tie the game in the bottom of the 6th and put it away in the bottom of the 8th behind a 3-run HR from Wally Berger. Robb Nen got the 7-3 win with Marcel Lachemann picking up the save and Smokey Joe Williams was tagged with the loss.

Brooklyn rode a great start from Drysedale to even the series at 2-2. He gave up 8 hits and only 1 run in 8 IP, which was plenty as the Brooklyn offense tallied 9 runs against losing pitcher Juan Marichal and reliever Gaylord Perry. Drysdale moved to 2-0 on the year with the 9-1 victory, and White led the way for Brooklyn, with 4 hits in 5 at-bats, totaling 3 2Bs, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs. Dan Brouthers added his 2nd HR of the year, and Becker continued his hot streak with 3 hits.

So, a split series, which has to be more encouraging for Brooklyn than the Gothams. White was the key for the Royal Giants, amassing 12 hits–8 of which were doubles–in the series and raising his BA to .425 on the young season.

TWIWBL 2.3: Looking Ahead to Series II

By mknn

On September 6, 2020

In TWIWBL

All teams have a 4 game series scheduled, making this another easy and clean segment.

#Featured Series

We’ll feature a series where the New York Gothams host one of their cross-town rivals, the Brooklyn Royal Giants. Brooklyn is 4-1 on the young season, and the game 1 matchup of Brooklyn’s Dutch Leonard, who tossed a shutout in his 1st start, against the Gotham’s Christy Mathewson. Brooklyn’s pitching staff has been dominant the 1st trip through the rotation, but neither team has really woken up offensively so far on the young season.

#Other Series of Note

Everything’s of note when you’re 5 games in, right? So let’s focus on the extremes.

The San Francisco Sea Lions will take their perfect 5-0 record against the Wandering House of David, and the 0-5 Birmingham Black Barons will host the formidable New York Black Yankees, hoping that home field advantages aids in their search for their first victory of the year. Finally, the matchup between the Kansas City Monarchs and the Houston Colt 45’s features 2 teams each at 4-1 so far.

TWIWBL 2.2: Practice? We Talking About Practice?

By mknn

On September 5, 2020

In TWIWBL

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.