The Whirled League

Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Alejandro Peña

Series XIV Preview: Birmingham Black Barons @ New York Gothams

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On September 10, 2021

In Featured Series, Series Previews

We last focused on the Birmingham Black Barons in Series III and on the New York Gothams in Series II.

Since then, their fortunes have diverged significantly, with Birmingham 12 games back in the Marvin Miller Division at 22-32 and the Gothams only 1/2 game behind Los Angeles in the Bill James Division at 28-25.

So we go into this series expecting a dominant performance from the Gothams.

#Birmingham Black Barons

The bright spots are, as you may guess from their record, few and far between.

Offensively, the story of the year has to be 2B Tom Herr, who has come out of nowhere to lead the team regulars in all 3 categories of his 348/384/464 slash line. Other than Herr, there are some reasons for optimism, as Pie Traynor, Bob Nieman, Del Crandall, and Al Schweitzer have all hit well in very limited opportunities (Crandall and Traynor are recent recalls from AAA, Schweitzer has just returned from the DL).

Eddie Mathews has 9 homeruns to lead the team, while Hank Aaron has 28 RBIs.

Herr has a parallel on the mound, where Tim Hudson has moved from AAA into the rotation, going 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA, although in under 30 innings (3 relief appearances and 3 starts). Scott Baker leads the team in wins at 5-3, but has an ERA over 5. Alejandro Pena, with a 4-4 record and a 3.76 ERA, has probably been Birmingham’s most dependable starter.

#New York Gothams

The Gothams’ offense revolves around Buster Posey (347/433/568) and Willie Mays (354/408/561), but the surprise of the season is probably SS Eugenio Suarez, who continues to hit for power, at 304/349/506 on the season. Posey and Mays have 9 homeruns each, with Mays leading the team with 46 RBIs.

Two minor league callups have been impactful, with Wes Westrum (318/375/727) taking over the backup C role behind Posey and Yasiel Puig becoming a nearly everyday player, with an OPS just under .800.

The starting pitching has been a little uneven: while Juan Marichal (6-1), Mickey Welch (5-2), and Christy Mathewson (5-5) have a lot of victories, they all have pretty high ERA’s. New York’s best starter has probably been Sad Sam Jones, who is 3-3, but has an ERA of 3.49.

The bullpen has been excellent, with Mike Norris (2-1, 1 Sv, 3 H, 1.91 ERA) and Robb Nen (4 Sv) setting up Brian Wilson, who has 6 saves and a 2.40 ERA.

#Series Matchups

Birmingham’s projected starter first: Scott Baker (5-3, 5.08 ERA) @ Sad Sam Jones (3-3, 3.49 ERA); Dick Rudolph (3-4, 4.52 ERA) @ Christy Mathewson (5-5, 4.96 ERA); Tim Hudson (4-0, 2.51 ERA) @ Mickey Welch (5-2, 6.04 ERA); Sam Streeter (2-3, 5.00 ERA) @ Gaylord Perry (2-4, 3.56 ERA).

You have to think the Gothams will take this series, with a sweep a distinct possibility.

Series X Featured Game: Birmingham Black Barons @ Homestead Grays

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On July 18, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

This one is a little different …

Birmingham‘s Alejandro Pena came into the game on a bit of a roll, having improved his numbers to a record of 3-3 and an ERA of 3.35. Homestead‘s Corey Kluber was just trying to stay in the league, with a record of 0-6 and an ERA over 6.

Kluber lasted only 2 innings before injury forced him from the game. He had given up one unearned run when, in the top of the first, an error by Mike Epstein allowed Tom Herr to score. Carlos Zambrano who, if anything, has been hit harder than Kluber, relieved him.

Pena allowed a run in the bottom of the 3rd and the bottom of the 4th on a sacrifice fly from Andrew McCutcheon and a bases-loaded walk to Honus Wagner that scored Josh Gibson.

So, 2-1 Homestead after 4 innings.

And then … that was it.

Pena put in 8 innings, allowing 6 hits and the 2 runs (only 1 was earned), and the combination of Kluber, Zambrano, Billy Pierce, and Michael Jackson had kept Birmingham from scoring again.

Homestead’s closer, Josh Lindblom, came into the game in the top of the 9th to close out the impressive win … and, after getting the first out, gave up a single to Billy Southworth, a walk to Troy Tulowitzki, a single to Herr, and a sacrifice fly to Frank McCormick, tying the game.

And then … that was it. For a long time, that was it.

For Birmingham, Wilhelm added 2 more innings, closer Carlos Diaz followed with 2 more, and Larry Benton added 3. For Homestead, Kent Tekulve added 2.2 and then Hal Carlson stepped in with the bullpen deeply depleted and delivered 4 crucial innings.

All scoreless. Through the 12th, scoreless. Through the 16th, scoreless. Through the 18th, scoreless.

And then … that was it.

Earl Hamilton had followed Carlson, and held Birmingham scoreless for 1.2 innings. He took the mound in the top of the 19th, and induced a groundout from Hank Aaron.

But then the floodgates opened: Omar Infante doubled, Southworth singled, and Tulowitzki broke the tie with an RBI single. Herr singled to load the bases, and McCormick walked. Then the Black Barons really took control, with Frank Isbell doubling home 2 more runs.

With Hamilton clearly gassed, the Grays called on Ray Brown, who got out of the inning, but not before allowing RBI singles to Gene Tenace, Eddie Mathews, and Infante.

So, inning after inning of no offense and then, in the top of the 19th, 7 runs for Birmingham.

It was enough: Warren Spahn retired the side in order and the Black Barons left with the win, 9-2. Honestly, Birmingham deserved to win much earlier: they banged out 28 hits during the 19 innings, with Herr and Isbell each going 5-for-10, Aaron adding 4 hits, and Infante and Southworth 3 hits apiece. But 24 of their 28 hits were singles: the Black Barons left a whopping 23 batters on base in the game.

Homestead had only 10 hits on the day, with 3 of them coming off the bat of Rick Reichardt. All 10 were singles, and the Grays had their own struggles with timing base knocks, leaving 14 runners on base.

A remarkable, and totally unexpected pitching performance from Birmingham. Even with that, both teams bullpens are likely to suffer for a few games from this one.

BBB 9 (Spahn 2-4) @ HOM 2 (Hamilton 0-1; Jackson 2 H; Lindblom 2 BS) [19 Innings]
HRs: none
Box Score

TWIWBL 7.4: Series VI Notes – Marvin Miller Division

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On June 8, 2021

In TWIWBL

{With the day off on April 25th, it was a time of roster moves and lineup and pitching adjustments. As such, there are a few more notes for each team than usual.}

#Birmingham Black Barons

Omar Infante‘s first HR of the season was dramatic: a walk-off drive to LF off Indianapolis’ Rob Dibble that gave the Black Barons a 5-4 victory in 11 innings.

Birmingham totally overhauled its pitching staff, sending John Clarkson, Warren Spahn, and Jim Whitney to AAA Atlanta and bringing Larry Benton, Tim Hudson, and Vic Willis back the other way. Ken Griffery, Sr. was waived to make room for Benton on the 40-man roster.

Sam Streeter and Dick Rudolph have been named to the starting rotation, joining Alejandro Pena and Scott Baker, leaving one spot still up for grabs.

The Black Barons would love to send Dale Murphy (059/179/059) down, but the only C doing anything in their farm system is Earl Battey at AA. Murphy stays in the WBL for now, but Battey has been promoted to AAA, and is likely to come up if he shows much of anything there. Ginger Beaumont was demoted, with Bob Nieman coming up to the big leagues. 2B Tommy Herr and OF Curtis Granderson have moved into the starting lineup.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Dave Von Ohlen has been a bright spot in the Royal Giants’ bullpen, with 2 holds and an ERA of 2.02. He has a tight back now, and given the general bullpen pressure, Brooklyn will put him on the DL, even though he’s likely to be ready to go in under ten days. 20 year old Sandy Koufax was recalled from AAA in the meantime.

Don Drysedale may be the best pitcher in the league right now: he moved to 4-0 on the year with a complete game victory over Miami, allowing only 1 run in his 9 innings, maintaining his 1.00 ERA on the season.

Dick Redding will lose his spot in the rotation to Frank Knauss. OF Hi Myers and Jermaine Dye are tearing up AAA for Queens, but there’s really no room in the Brooklyn OF at this time.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Camilo Pascual delivered one of the better performances of the year with a 6-hit shutout of Brooklyn, improving his record to 3-1. Pascual struck out 9 while walking 3.

Miami’s bullpen has suffered, but it’s not clear who at AAA can help. Ryota Igarashi was demoted, with Jose Mendez recalled. Gary Sheffield is tearing up AAA, but the Cuban Giants are going to give struggling Jim Thome (149/270/257) a little more time before pulling the plug.

#Portland Sea Dogs

OF Jeff Burroughs (178/245/211) will head to AAA with 19 year-old P Joseito Munoz coming up to the big leagues to bolster the back end of the bullpen.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Just recalled from AAA, Diego Segui was pressed into service, making his WBL debut and facing off against Portland’s Jerry Koosman. Segui was terribly impressive, and the game was one of the better pitching duels on the young season, but despite allowing only 2 hits and 2 runs in 7 innings, Segui was tagged with the loss. Still, it was enough that he should stick around.

The Sea Lions expect Dennis Eckersley to come off the DL tomorrow, so they cleared room for his arrival by sending Jim Shields down to AAA. Eddie Plank was moved into the rotation. Gene Oliver and Ron Hunt were both sent down to San Jose as well (John Beckwith at 182/258/291 and Eddie Joost at 162/287/309 are on the edge as well). Cy Perkins and Pedro Guerrero come back the other way (Bob Cerv has hit better than Guerrero, but there’s no room for him in LF in San Francisco).

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

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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.

Season Preview: Birmingham Black Barons

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On August 22, 2020

In Team News

There are the makings of a good offense here, but the pitching is riddled with question marks, and the defense is easily the worst in the league. Still, Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews look solid, and if Emil Frisk can continue to hit like he has this Spring, they should score their share of runs.

Final Roster

SP: Alejandro Pena, Fred Fussell, Scott Baker, Dick Rudolph, Warren Spahn.
RP: John Clarkson & Jim Whitney; Hoyt Wilhelm & Sam Streeter; Juan Rincon & Harley Young; Carlos Diaz.

C: Gene Tenace; Dale Murphy
1B: Frank McCormick
2B: Frank Isbell; Tom Herr
3B: Eddie Mathews; Chipper Jones
SS: Omar Infante; Troy Tulowitzki
LF: Hank Aaron
CF: Ginger Beaumont
RF: Al Schweitzer
DH: Emil Frisk

Notes

The bullpen has an interesting construction for Birmingham. With 3 starters unlikely to go deep in ballgames (Alejandro Pena, Fred Fussell, and Scott Baker), there is a need to eat innings, meaning the Black Barons may turn quite often to the quartet of Hoyt Wilhelm (who has struggled all Spring), Sam Streeter, John Clarkson, and Jim Whitney … Dale Murphy had a horrible Spring, but Del Crandall was even worse, preserving Murphy’s spot on the roster behind Gene Tenace at C … another team struggling at SS, where Omar Infante came out of nowhere to win the starting job, with Troy Tulowitzki‘s glove edging out Herman Long in reserve … it wouldn’t be surprising for Birmingham to make some trades as, in addition to SS, LF is an area of real need. Currently, Hank Aaron looks like the starter, but he’s better suited to RF than LF … that said, the severity of Emil Frisk‘s yet-to-be-diagnosed injury could have an impact here as well … Ginger Beaumont held off Curtis Granderson to keep the starter’s role in CF.

39 year old IF Chipper Jones is winding down his career and is the oldest player on the roster by 7 years (ahead of P Fred Fussell and 1B Frank McCormick). OF Hank Aaron and 3B Eddie Mathews both look to have long careers ahead of them, projected as starters at 21 years old each.

There is some decent talent at AAA, led by 21 year old C phenom Earl Battey. At the same age, both Greg Maddux and Vic Willis could help on the mound, although John Malarkey may be more polished. 19 year old 3B Billy Nash is the brightest light at AA.

Getting to 30: Marvin Miller Division

By

On August 8, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

#Birmingham Black Barons

Alejandro Pena, Fred Fussell, and Scott Baker have rotation slots nailed down, and Greg Maddux and Vic Willis were sent to AAA. The rest is a muddle with John Clarkson, Jim Whitney, Sam Streeter, Warren Spahn, and Dick Rudolph vying for 3, maybe 4, slots.

Carlos Diaz has struggled as the closer, but he’s still there, with Harley Young and Hoyt Wilhelm working behind him.

Omar Infante has impressed enough to stick around, especially given his defensive versatility. Bob Nieman‘s inability to hit opens up some possibilities for him in LF, and given how little either Troy Tulowitzki or Herman Long have hit, he may see some more time at SS as well.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Smokey Joe Williams, Frank Knauss, and Dick Redding are fighting over the final 2 rotation spots. As a 19 year old, it may make sense for Redding to get some more work at AAA in before a longer stint in the bigs.

The rest of the pen looks set, with the quartet of Terry Forster, Trevor Hildenberger, and Eric Gagne setting up Watty Clark looking to be one of the best in the league.

Despite Pee Wee Reese‘s struggles, he stays as Tommy Corcoran‘s backup at SS. Davey Lopes has burst onto the scene, to the point that Hobe Ferris–the presumptive starter–will head to AAA (while note great defensively, Jackie Robinson, Todd Walker, and Corcoran can all spell Lopes as needed).

Neither John Briggs nor Duke Snider have impressed, but Briggs was worse, and heads to the minors. What’s not clear is if Snider starts the year at CF, or if newcomer Raul Mondesi forces himself into the picture.

#Miami Cuban Giants

With Alex Colome and Dalier Hinojosa sent to AAA, the pitching staff is coming into focus. The remaining competition is between Dontrelle Willis, Don Newcombe, Tommy Bridges, and Jose Mendez for the final starting role and 2 bullpen slots. Mendez is a long shot at this point.

Perhaps as expected, Willie Kamm has cooled off dramatically, moving Manny Machado back into the starting position at 3B. His performance does, however, keep him in camp at the expense of Gary Sheffield, who was quite a disappointment all Spring.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Dizzy Trout has seized the #4 starter slot, leaving the final 3 slots up for grabs. This is all a little controversial, as others have pitched better than Walter Johnson, but the Sea Dogs remain convinced of the 19 year old’s potential, despite a growing sense from fans that he would be better served by starting the year in AAA. Still, the staff have the final say, leaving Ray Fontenot, Bert Blyleven, Mike Cuellar, and Wade Miller in competition, with Pascual Perez and Atlee Hammaker already moved down to the minors.

The good news is the back end of the bullpen is set, with the trio of Elmer Brown, Jim Kern, and Johan Santana looking almost unhittable.

Don Baylor and Kirby Puckett‘s demotions surprised some, but quite a few of Portland’s OFers hit well during the Spring, leaving those 2 out in the cold. On the infield, too many people hit well to make the choices easy. Greg Litton came to camp late, but has hit well and, more importantly, provides some needed defensive flexibility. The choice ended up being unorthodox, as with Marty Cordova being sent to AAA, they lack a true LF on the roster, relying on Kiki Cuyler, Harry Hooper and, yes, Litton there.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

The pitching staff has gotten some astounding performances, led by Cy Falkenberg, James Shields, and Dennis Eckersley. That leaves Eddie Plank, Jim Devlin, Carlos Carrasco, Charlie Root, and Lefty Grove in contention for 2 starting spots and 2 bullpen roles. Grove has struggled with his control, Devlin has been hit pretty hard, and Plank–despite the best WHIP of the bunch–has an ERA over 7.

That’s really all that is up for grabs as the back end of the bullpen, anchored by Rod Beck and Chad Bradford, looks pretty solid.

The position cuts were all a bit surprising: Mark McGwire couldn’t move through the logjam at 1B, Bert Campenaris couldn’t hit enough to warrant keeping his defensive versatility, and Pedro Guerrero was at the bottom of the OF list. The biggest shock was the failure of highly touted 20 year old Jimmie Foxx to earn a roster spot, although he’s expected to return in pretty short order.

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