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TWIWBL 10.2: Series VII Notes – Cum Posey Division

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On July 4, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Ned Garvin shut out Philadelphia on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 4, improving his record to 2-1 in easily his best performance of the year.

A pinch-hit grand slam from Frank Robinson helped power the Black Sox past the Stars in the second game. Dennis Martinez had another strong outing, improving to 3-1 and Ken Singleton also went deep.

#Chicago American Giants

Frank Thomas hit 2 homeruns, leading Chicago past the New York Black Yankees, 8-4. Ben Sheets moved to 4-1 on the year with a strong effort, and Carlton Fisk and Joe Jackson also went deep.

In game two of the series, down 4-2 in the top of the 7th, the American Giants responded with 6 runs, shocking the Black Yankees and providing the final score in the 8-4 victory. The inning started with hits from Luke Appling and Dave Nilsson, chasing New York’s starter, Jake Scott, from the game. He was relieved by A.J. Burnett, who allowed a run to score on a wild pitch, then surrendered a single to Jackson to tie the game … and then things got rough, with Dick Allen hitting a 2 run homerun and Mike Fiore scoring on a fielders’ choice. Thomas went 3-for-5, and both Adrian Gonzalez and Duffy Lewis hit homers as well. The win went to Ed Walsh, who struggled through 126 pitches over 7 innings, allowing 4 runs. Akinori Otsuka and A.J. Minter combined for 2 scoreless innings in relief.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Stubby Overmire got a spot start and made the most of it, allowing only 2 runs in 7 innings against Brooklyn in a game Houston eventually won in the bottom of the 9th, with the victory going to Andrew Chafin, who evened his record at 1-1.

Jeff Bagwell went deep twice–perhaps an indication he’s finding his swing at last–to lead Houston to a 6-2 victory in the 2nd game, with Tony Gwynn adding 3 RBI’s as well. Trevor Hoffman moved to 3-0 on the year, after a decent effort from Stephen Strasburg.

#Ottawa Mounties

Jamie Moyer‘s WBL debut was a thing of beauty: 7.2 innings, 6 hits, 4 strikeouts, and a single earned run. Tom Henke‘s total meltdown was not–4 runs on three hits in the 9th inning, turning a 2-1 lead into a 5-2 defeat to Indianapolis.

The question of what it would take for Ottawa to give up on Randy Johnson–at least for a while–was answered: 1-4 with an ERA approaching 9 and a WHIP over 2. It’s unclear what the long term plans are in Ottawa: for now, Monk Dubiel gets a start and a likely quick hook, with Greg Holland called up to the bullpen.

Holland did well: 3.1 innings in relief of Dubiel (who gave up 4 runs in 3 innings), allowing only 1 run. It was enough, as Ottawa took advantage of a total implosion by Rob Murphy that included 2 bases-loaded walks and a grand slam by the suddenly red-hot Freddy Parent. It all added up to an 8-5 victory for the Mounties.

TWIWBL 8.2: Series VII Notes – Cum Posey Division

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On June 20, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Curt Blefary hit 2 HRs, bringing his season total to a whopping 12, in an 8-4 loss to the Detroit Wolverines.

#Chicago American Giants

Cristobal Torriente was placed on the DL after severely twisting an ankle in the American Giants‘ 7-6 victory over San Francisco, a game won on a walk-off HR by Dick Allen. It could be a hard game for Chicago: Herb Pennock was injured as well, but may be able to make his next start and, more importantly, superstar 2B Eddie Collins left the game favoring his leg. His diagnosis is currently unknown.

Avisail Garcia was promoted from AAA Milwaukee to take Torriente’s place.

Collins will miss about 2 weeks: Nellie Fox was called up from AAA, but the bulk of the 2B duties will fall to Damian Jackson.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Casey Stengel–yes, Casey Stengel–hit the second longest HR in WBL history when he launched a 517ft mammoth shot off Miami‘s Bill Landrum, leading Houston to a 4-1 victory over the Cuban Giants.

Only slightly less improbably than the above paragraph: Toad Ramsey, who has been thoroughly mediocre at best, delivered a 4-hit shutout against Miami in a 3-0 Houston victory. Ramsey walked 7, so it wasn’t exactly a dominant performance; still, a 4-hitter is a 4-hitter.

#Kansas City Monarchs

How do you win a game when you give up 10 walks? By pounding out 23 hits and scoring 17 runs … the Monarchs blew away Memphis 17-3, led by Rogers Hornsby‘s 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. Hornsby, Stan Musial, and Ozzie Smith scored 3 runs each, and recently recalled Robinson Cano added 4 hits. Jose Rijo pitched well enough for the win, improving to 2-1, and Trevor Rosenthal and Craig Kimbrel provided 4 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief.

#Ottawa Mounties

OF Larry Walker is heading back to the DL with a sprained wrist, leaving the Mounties without one of their only 2 higher end offensive performers so far (the other being Tim Raines). Rick Monday was recalled from AAA, increasing the pressure on Ken Griffey, Jr. to come out of his slump.

TWIWBL 7.2: Series VI Notes – Cum Posey Division

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On June 6, 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.}

#Baltimore Black Sox

P Lindy McDaniel, massively ineffective over 7 appearances, was sent down to AAA with Mike Mussina coming back the other way. Chick Stahl is tearing up AAA, and if Paul Blair–currently slashing 205/287/337–continues to struggle, he may get a call-up in the next few weeks.

#Chicago American Giants

P Lee Meadows was waived and Joe Lake was sent down to AAA Milwaukee, with Sonny Dixon and Frank Smith joining Chicago. Herb Pennock will join the rotation, replacing Lake.

#Houston Colt 45’s

The final slot in the Colt 45’s rotation remains a mystery, with the team hoping someone from Stubby Overmire, Leon Day, and Dock Ellis steps forward.

Larry Hisle‘s continued struggles (194/275/222) sent him down to AAA San Antonio. 37 year-old Ken Caminiti was waived to make room for DJ LeMahieu‘s promotion to Houston.

Paul Goldschmidt‘s 176/300/265 line sees him likely getting much less playing time in the near future.

#Kansas City Monarchs

After a heart-breaking loss to the Black Yankees, the Monarchs had to do some roster juggling, both to help with bullpen fatigue and to bring in some help for Ozzie Smith at SS. Bob Gibson was sent back to AAA and Bill Doak was waived to free up roster space for RP Adam Russell and SS Jack Rowe.

But the Monarchs fought back, defeating the Black Yankees, first 8-3 and then on a walk-off 5-4 victory powered by Boog Powell‘s 2 HRs and Stan Musial‘s 4 hits in 4 at-bats.

The Monarchs ended up splitting the four game set with the Black Yankees–no mean feat.

1B Andre Thornton‘s slow start (139/333/250) earned him a trip to AAA St. Louis with 2B Robinson Cano, who was tearing up the league at 423/461/634 coming up to Kansas City. The roster still needed a RH OF, so Russell was sent back down after only a few days with the big league team in favor of Ducky Medwick.

#Ottawa Mounties

Randy Johnson may have done just enough–barely–to stay in the big leagues with a decent 5 inning performance against Los Angeles. After the game, RP Greg Holland hopped back on the AAA express, with the Mounties in desperate need for depth at 2B. They recalled George Cutshaw to help there (Cutshaw would have a nice debut, going 1-for-3 with a grand slam HR).

Freddy Parent delivered a 2-0ut, 2-run single that scored Carlos Delgado and Terry Puhl, giving Ottawa a walk-off victory against Los Angeles’ closer Joe Nathan, who fanned the first two batters before collapsing and giving up a three run lead.

Recently recalled Jim Clancy was called into duty as an emergency starter, and the jury is still out. On the one hand, 5 innings, only 1 run, and the victory in a 5-1 win over Los Angeles is great; on the other hand, the traffic on the basepaths was nonstop, with Clancy giving up 10 hits and 2 walks in the 5 innings. Gary Lavelle pitched 2.2 scoreless innings for his second hold, and Tom Henke finished it out for his 7th save.

The Mounties pitching staff is a mystery. They are committed to Johnson, despite the 25 year-old’s 7.27 ERA, as well as to 19 year-old Ken Griffey, Jr, who is only slashing 205/253/217 to date. Gary Peters has been very ineffective, and will spend some time at AAA trying to work out his kinks, joining John Olerud in Montreal with veteran 1B/OF Roy Sievers and P Jamie Moyer heading to the big time (Terry Mulholland was waived to make room for Moyer).

The fifth rotation slot is still unsettled, with Moyer, Clancy, and Monk Dubiel all in play.

Series VI Featured Matchup- Chicago American Giants @ Philadelphia Stars

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On June 1, 2021

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

The American Giants (12-10) head to Philadelphia to take on the Stars (13-9) in a four game series. Series preview here.

Game 1: Mark Buehrle v Robin Roberts

Mark Buehrle brings a 1-2 record and a 3.20 ERA into his matchup with Robin Roberts who is at 2-1 with an inflated ERA of 6.30. Roberts has pitched better than his ERA would indicate, for sure.

Still, the American Giants have a heckuva lineup. Roberts would give up three runs four innings, first on an RBI single by Dick Allen, then twice when Duffy Lewis scored without a hit (first on a Luke Appling double play, then, in the top of the fourth, on a wild pitch).

Buehrle sailed along for five innings, but the Stars broke through in a big way in the bottom of the sixth with George Hendrick, Sherry Magee, and Rico Carty all hitting doubles to cut the lead to 3 to 2. Ted Kluszewski–gaining some redemption on his return from AAA–then took Buehrle deep for a 3-run HR, putting Philadelphia on top, 5-3, and chasing Buehrle from the game, relieved by Koji Uehara.

The lead was short-lived: Roberts would walk Adrian Gonzalez and give up a single to pinch-hitter Kevin Mitchell before giving way to Rheal Cormier. Brought in to face three consecutive left-handed batters, Cormier was hit hard despite getting a few outs, with Dave Nilsson hitting a deep fly to score Gonzalez, Eddie Collins doubling, and Shoeless Joe Jackson plating Mitchell with a groundout. Jack Meyer relieved Cormier and got Frank Thomas to popout to 1B for the final out with the score tied at 5.

Philadelphia’s strategy in the top of the eighth was a bit of a surprise: when Meyer couldn’t come out due to injury, the Stars turned to Jaret Wright, just recalled from AAA. It was a mistake: Allen greeted him with a triple, Mike Fiore walked, and Wright was pulled midway through Duffy Lewis’ AB in favor of Pedro Feliciano, who had been fantastic so far this season. Feliciano gave up a single to Lewis, scoring Allen and then a 2-run double to light-hitting Damian Jackson. An RBI groundout from Eddie Collins pushed the score to 9-5.

Philadelphia would claw back one run, but that was it, and Chicago had the victory in hand.

Carty had three hits, all doubles, for Philadelphia. Lewis went four-for-four and scored 3 runs for Chicago.

CAG 9 (Uehara 1-0; Minter 3 Sv) @ PHI 6 (Wright 0-1; Cormier 1 BS)
HRs: Kluszewski (PHI, 5)
Box Score

Game 2: Joe Lake @ J.M. Ward

John Montgomery Ward gets a spot start for Chicago, his first of the year. Ward has pitched 7 times in relief, with a 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA. Joe Lake is just trying to get on track, coming in with an 0-1 record and an ERA approaching 8.

It was a rough day for everyone who took the mound …

Chicago roared out of the gate, taking a 7-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth, but Philadelphia would at least make a game of it, starting the frame off with five consecutive hits and a sacrifice fly, closing the gap to two runs at 7-5.

But Shoeless Joe Jackson would hit two homeruns in the later innings, and Herb Pennock would throw a perfect 2.2 IP to close it out. Pennock was the only successful hurler for either team: Ward was rocked for 7 runs in under 4 innings, and Rheal Cormier and Pedro Feliciano gave up 6 more in 4 innings in relief. Lake was hit hard as well, surrendering 5 runs and 9 hits in 5 innings, and Lee Meadows gave up 3 more in just over an inning of relief.

Meadows and Lake are unlikely to be in Chicago much longer, as today’s performances were no worse than they’ve shown all season.

Shoeless Joe went 3-for-6 with 4 RBIs, and Mike Fiore added 3 hits and scored 3 times as the American Giants pounded out seventeen hits, with only Dick Allen failing to get a hit on the day.

For Philadelphia, Buck Freeman, Rico Carty, Chase Utley, and Mickey Doolin each had two hits apiece.

CAG 14 (Lake 1-1; Pennock 1 Sv; Meadows 1 H) @ PHI 8 (Ward 1-1)
HRs: Jackson 2 (CAG, 8); Lewis (CAG, 3)
Box Score

Game 3: Tricky Nichols @ Ray Collins

Because of the surprise start of JM Ward last game, game three of the series features the first matchup of two 3-0 pitchers on the season, with Chicago’s Tricky Nichols facing Philadelphia’s Ray Collins. Both pitched well for a while, and then ran out of gas.

Nichols was cruising with a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th, but a 3-run HR by Chase Utley and a solo shot by Bill Dickey chased him from the game giving Philadelphia a 5-4 lead.

Collins left after 7 innings with the 1 run lead, but Ron Reed immediately gave it up, surrendering a 2-run blast to Mike Fiore to give the American Giants the edge, 6-5. But, an error by Dick Allen allowed a run to score in the bottom of the 8th, tying it up at 6.

Bob Howry–fantastic so far on the season–came in for Chicago and promptly gave away the farm: Allen atoned for the error with a leadoff shot, and after an RBI single from Duffy Lewis, Shoeless Joe Jackson capped off a 4-for-4 day with a 3-run shot to RF. Ken Sanders mowed through the Philadelphia lineup in the bottom of the 9th, giving Chicago the 12-6 victory and a 3-0 lead in the series.

CAG 12 (Sanders 2-0, 1 BSv) @ PHI 6 (Howry 0-1; Reed 2 BSv)
HRs: Dickey (PHI, 2); Utley (PHI, 1); Jackson (CAG, 9); Fiore (CAG, 3); Allen (CAG, 4)
Box Score

Game 4: Ben Sheets @ Steve Carlton

Despite similar numbers, Ben Sheets comes into the game with a 3-0 record while Steve Carlton sits at 1-3 on the season.

Each pitched a strong game. Sheets looked sharper, but he had one bad inning–with Chicago ahead 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th, the big righthander made three mistakes in the span of six pitches, with Buck Freeman, Gavvy Cravath, and Sherry Magee each blasting solo HRs, giving the Stars a 4-2 lead.

Carlton left after getting one out in the seventh, with the Stars having to bring in SP Pete Alexander because their bullpen was so depleted. It worked: Alexander pitched 2.2 perfect innings, and the game ended 4-2 with Carlton picking up the win and Alexander the save for Philadelphia’s first win in the series.

The three homeruns were half the hits Sheets surrendered, but he still went down to his first loss on the year.

CAG 2 (Sheets 3-1) @ PHI 4 (Carlton 2-3; Alexander 1 Sv)
HRs: Freeman (PHI, 4); Kluszewski (PHI, 6); Magee (PHI, 2); Cravath (PHI, 5).
Box Score

Series Notes

For Chicago, Shoeless Joe went 9-for-16 in the series with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs and Fiore went 6-for-13.

Despite going hitless at AAA, Kluszewski found his stroke immediately on his promotion, going 5-for-15 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI’s for Philadelphia.

Chicago looks to have a shot at being a real contender, something that will elude Philadelphia until they find some more consistency on offense.

Previewing Series VI – Chicago American Giants @ Philadelphia Stars

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On May 27, 2021

In Series Previews

The featured matchup of Series VI will see the Philadelphia Stars (13-9) hosting the Chicago American Giants (12-10). Having the misfortune to be in the same division as the New York Black Yankees, the Stars are more games behind their division leaders (5) than the American Giants (3), despite having the better record.

Chicago comes in to the game having taken 3 out of 4 from Detroit, and 7-1 over their last 8 games. Philadelphia lost 3 out of 4 to Portland, and is playing .500 ball over their last eight.

Series pitching matchups (Chicago SP listed first) are currently Mark Buehrle (1-2, 3.20) v. Robin Roberts (2-1, 6.30); Joe Lake (0-1, 7.71) v. Ray Collins (3-0, 3.66); Tricky Nichols (3-0, 2.97) v. Steve Carlton (1-3, 3.72); and Ben Sheets (3-0, 4.11) v. Pete Alexander (1-4, 6.00). It should be an interesting series for the starters: three of the games pit someone pitching well against someone struggling in the start of the year, while the third game–Nichols versus Carlton–may be the best matchup of them all.

Chicago’s bullpen has been strong up to the very end of games, where A.J. Minter has struggled, allowing 9 hits in only 3 IP. But the trio of Ken Sanders, Akinori Otsuka, and Koji Uehara have been excellent in getting the ball to Minter. LHP Lee Meadows has struggled mightily, including taking losses in his last 3 appearances, and is likely to be sent to AAA after this series.

Philadelphia’s bullpen has been fantastic, top to bottom, led by closer Bob Howry‘s 7 saves along with excellent work from Pedro Feliciano (5 holds), Ron Reed, and Rheal Cormier. Feliciano’s 1.12 ERA is the worst of that bunch.

Offensively, though, Chicago hold the clear edge; indeed, short of the Black Yankees, no team in the league can match the trio of OF Shoeless Joe Jackson (353/446/624), 1B Frank Thomas (325/419/588), and 2B Eddie Collins (320/469/507). Those three have combined for 14 HRs and 56 RBIs. There are concerns about the starts of both 1B Adrian Gonzalez (176/232/284) and Luke Appling (169/219/220; .114 BA over his last 12 games), however.

Overall, Philadelphia’s offense has sputtered. Rico Carty (338/380/592) has been fantastic, and both Willie Davis (294/351/574) and Scott Rolen (275/338/580) solid, but 4 starters have failed to raise their OPS to .600 (OFers Sherry Magee and Al Smith, C Bill Dickey, and SS Mickey Doolin).

Chicago’s Dick Allen comes into the series having driven in a run in 5 consecutive games, and Shoeless Joe has been successful on his last 4 SB attempts

Series V Featured Game: Chicago visits Detroit

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On May 21, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

The featured game of Series V saw Detroit‘s Joe Lake taking on Si Johnson of the visiting Chicago American Giants in the opening match of the four game set.

The game was scoreless until the top of the 4th, when Dick Allen led off with a solo HR to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. It was short-lived, as a 2-run HR from Geoff Jenkins and an RBI double by Bob Bailey put Detroit up 3-1 in the bottom of the frame.

A 3-run blast from 1B Hank Greenberg extended the Detroit lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the 5th, and the Wolverines looked in good shape.

However … this is The Featured Game, right?

Mike Fiore led off the top of the 7th with a leadoff HR, and when Duffy Lewis followed with a sharp single, Johnson was chased from the game, to be replaced by Doyle Alexander, who fanned the first batter he faced, but then gave up a single to light-hitting Damian Jackson, turning over the fearsome Chicago lineup to the top.

It delivered: Shoeless Joe Jackson singled in Lewis, and, after Cristobal Torriente hit into a fielders’ choice, Frank Thomas slammed a 3-run HR to tie the game at 6.

Damian Jackson would strike again in the top of the 8th, singling in two runs with Kevin Hart on the mound for Detroit to give Chicago the lead again, at 8-6.

But the home team still had some fight in them, with Chili Davis tagging Ken Sanders for a solo HR and Greenberg adding an RBI single in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game.

Detroit would keep Hart in the game for the top of the 9th, and Thomas would greet him with a leadoff HR to give the lead back to Chicago, 9-8.

The American Giant’s beleaguered closer, AJ Minter, would take the mound in the bottom of the frame. After George Davis flied out, Tony Phillips would single against Minter, bringing up Detroit’s DH Bob Bailey, who launched a ball deep to LF. Torriente took off at a full sprint and, far in the LF corner, made a tumbling catch. Phillips tagged up from first in a desperate attempt to get into scoring position, but Torriente somehow rolled to his feet, stopped his momentum, whirled, and threw a rope to 2B, just beating Phillips to end the game.

Thomas drove in 4, going 3-for-5, and Allen and Lewis added 2 hits each for Chicago, while Davis, Phillips, and Greenberg had 3 hits each for the home team. Hart took the loss, falling to 0-2, and Akinori Otsuka picked up the win, improving his record to 2-3 (Otsuka wasn’t terribly effective–he gave up 1 hit in one-third of an inning, and picked up a blown save as well), with Minter getting his first save in–by far–his most effective outing of the year.

Box Score | Game Log

TWIWBL 5.4: Series IV Notes – Cum Posey Division

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On May 14, 2021

In TWIWBL

Baltimore and Kansas City are tied atop the division at 12-6, with the Chicago American Giants a few games back at 9-9. Houston has lost 5 in a row, falling 4th, only a game ahead of cellar-dwelling Ottawa (6-12).

Leading Starter: Luke Hamlin, KAN, 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP.
Leading Reliever: Jeff Pfeffer, KAN, 5 SV, 0.90 ERA.
Leading Batters: Dan McGann, BAL, 358/443/623; Joe Jackson, CAG, 351/443/608, 5 HRs, 18 RBs; Frank Thomas, CAG, 343/425/600, 5 HRs, 21 RBIs; Eddie Collins, CAG, 343/470/552, 18 R, 11 SBs.

#Baltimore Black Sox

Bill Byrd was magnificent in Baltimore’s opening game against Brooklyn, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk in 8 IP. Unfortunately, he left the game trailing 1-0, but was spared the loss when Frank Robinson tied it up in the 9th inning. A walk-off HR from Ken Singleton won the game for the Black Sox.

Richie Sexson–at one point in consideration to make the big league roster–was demoted from AAA to AA Charlotte.

#Chicago American Giants

Just look at those leaders: Thomas, Jackson, and Collins are probably the hottest trio in the league right now.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Houston has a bit of a bullpen problem heading into their next series, leading to the Colt 45’s placing Mike Hartley on the IL and demoting Ice Box Chamberlain to AAA (he was quickly moved to AA by the management staff in San Antonio in favor of Boots Poffenberger–yep, Ice Box for Boots transaction there) with Stubby Overmire and Leon Day returning to the WBL. Ismael Valdez and Jim Kaat moved from AAA to AA as well.

The rotation is likely to be a bit up in the air over the next series or two.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Stan Musial hit 3 doubles in a game for the 2nd time this year, given him 8 on the season.

The Monarchs’ bullpen is pretty decimated, forcing two roster moves. First, Charles Comiskey was sent to AAA (instead of the injured list) to rest a sore elbow; second, Rex Hudler was sent down, likely only for a few days, as his demotion leaves Kansas City without an experienced SS behind Ozzie Smith. Bill Doak and Bob Gibson–who has pitched well since being demoted from Spring Training–were recalled from AAA.

#Ottawa Mounties

In his first AB of the season after an injury rehab stint at AAA, Larry Walker deposited Waite Hoyt‘s pitch over the LCF fence for a HR: that’s the way to get the home fans on your side!

More a victim of a lack of opportunity and a worn-out bullpen than anything else, Chris Leroux was sent to AAA with Jim Clancy being recalled to help shore up the rotation in the upcoming series. Reggie Cleveland was put on waivers to make room for Clancy on the 40 man roster.

Karl Spooner–who went into Spring Training as the closer–was released.

TWIWBL 5.2: Notes from Series IV

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On May 12, 2021

In TWIWBL

The WBL saw its first on-field brawl, as Kansas City‘s Boog Powell charged the mound after getting plunked by Philadelphia‘s Robin Roberts. Powell was suspended for 5 games, Roberts for 6.

WBL Player of the Week

The Wandering House of David‘s Pete Browning went 13 for 22 for the week–that’s a 591/591/909 slash line–with 5 RBIs and 6 runs scored to take home the WBL Player of the Week.

He had some competition: Homestead‘s Mike Epstein hit 571/625/1143; and the New York Black Yankees‘ Babe Ruth hit 417/462/1000 with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs. On the mound, Birmingham‘s Scott Baker went 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA in 2 starts and Philadelphia’s Bob Howry had 3 saves.

Series IV Results

Series IV Sweeps

Taking 3 out of 4 in Series IV

TWIWBL 4.2: A Day Off!

By

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 3.1: Notes from Series II

By

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.

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