Tag: Cleveland Spiders Page 5 of 9

TWIWBL 35.1: The Final Trading Window!

On March 14, 2023

Welcome to the wild final day of trading for the season! We’re going to present these from the point of view of the contenders, with teams examined in order of their winning percentage so far this season.

Look for roster moves and implications in the next installments of TWIWBL. With 3/4 of the league making at least one deal, the impacts should be felt for a while …

Baltimore Black Sox

Baltimore got their hands on one of the best arms available, bringing in Connie Johnson from Kansas City. The Monarchs added a 5th round pick, receiving 2 prospects (OF Merv Rettenmund and RP Gene Garber) and a 2nd round pick for the 33 year-old hurler.

Grade: A. Johnson looks to be the real deal and should help the Black Sox withstand the recent rash of injuries.

Portland Sea Dogs

The Sea Dogs keep tweaking, sending 3 prospects–CF Kirby Puckett, RP Jim Kern, and SP Rick Wise–to Houston, with Trevor Hoffman and Mark Melancon coming back. Hoffman may compete with Elmer Brown for the closer role for Portland. The teams also traded some draft picks, with Houston sending a 4th to Portland in exchange for a 3rd and a 5th.

They also picked up perhaps the best OF available, as highly touted prospect Harmon Killebrew and a 1st round pick netted Gavvy Cravath and a 2nd round pick from Philadelphia, with the Stars also picking up most of Cravath’s salary for the rest of the season.

Grade: B. If they make the playoffs, sure, it makes sense. But Cravath is old, and Killebrew and Puckett are a lot of talent to give up (although both are pretty blocked by existing WBL talent).

New York Gothams

The Gothams were clearly trying to bolster their pitching, and pulled off a minor deal, sending prospects Travis Bowyer and Mike Shannon along with a 4th round pick to Homestead for Vean Gregg and a 5th rounder. They also added Steve Howe to their bullpen, sending the disgruntled Jeremy Affeldt and prospect Bob Moose to Ottawa.

And then they pulled off a bit of a blockbuster, as discussions with Miami surrounding Rube Waddell quickly spiraled out of control, with heavy drink most likely being involved. The Gothams sent Freddie Fitzsimmons, Cookie Rojas, Yasiel Puig, and a 2nd round pick to the Cuban Giants, receiving Waddell, Pete Runnels, and Will Clark in return.

Finally, as they now needed more depth they hit redial on their rotary phone and got in touch with Ottawa again, sending prospects George Burns and Art Devlin along with a 3rd round pick to the Mounties for George Van Haltren and two mid round picks (a 5th and a 6th).

Grade: C. It just seems like a lot of wheel-spinning. Is having Waddell and Gregg in the rotation really all that different than Moose and Fitzsimmons? Clark has been mediocre at best with Miami, and Rojas is a real loss.

Chicago American Giants

Chicago bolstered their pitching, picking up David Price from Indianapolis. Jorge Orta also goes to Chicago, with the American Giants sending prize prospect Robin Ventura, RP Tyler Clippard, and 2 draft picks (a 4th and a 5th) to the ABC’s.

Grade: A. Price may help compensate for the deeply flawed acquisition of Don Newcombe earlier in the summer.

Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders paid pretty dearly to upgrade the one slot in their lineup crying out for it, sending prized prospect Nap Lajoie, RP Arodys Vizcaíno, and a 1st round pick to Homestead for SS Arky Vaughan, SP Stan Bahnsen, and a 3rd rounder.

Grade: B. It all makes sense: Vaughan fills a need, Bahnsen has been solid at the WBL level and while Lajoie clearly is talented, for a team that has a shot at a championship this year, it works.

Detroit Wolverines

Especially with the loss of Whit Wyatt to injury, if Detroit is to make a move this year, they need pitching. So they sent quite a package of potential–2B Charlie Gehringer, 3B Bill Sweeney, SP Red Ehret, and a 4th Round Pick–to San Francisco for Charlie Root and Chad Bradford. It’s a lot, and the loss of Gehringer may hurt, but Detroit is really in win-now mode.

Grade: B. Root is excellent, and while they paid a little dearly, this year really looks to be the Wolverines’ best chance.

Birmingham Black Barons

Birmingham is unsure if its streak can continue, but an upgrade at C can’t hurt, so the Black Barons sent 2 IF prospects (SS Woody English and 3B Candy Jim Taylor) to Memphis for Jim Pagliaroni and a 4th round pick.

Then, late in the day, the pulled the trigger on a bit of a blockbuster, adding Andy Pettitte from Kansas City to their rotation. It cost quite a bit: C Dale Murphy (still a prospect despite his miserable WBL debut earlier in the season), P A. Rube Foster, a 2nd round pick and a 4th round pick. It was quite a declaration of intent by the Black Barons, we’ll see if it pans out.

Grade: A. Suddenly, Birmingham has a shot at the playoffs. Pettitte immediately becomes their #2 starter, and while they gave up some good talent, neither Murphy nor Foster look like world-burners at this point.

Wandering House of David

The House of David can still get lucky this year, so it moved to shore up a weak spot, sending prospects Bert Campaneris and Jeff Heathcock and a 3rd round pick to Miami for Ed Bauta and 2 later round picks (a 6th and a 7th).

Grade: C. Meh.

New York Black Yankees

The Black Yankees are desperate for bullpen help. They started to address the need picking up Aroldis Chapman from Miami, sending back Cole Hamels and Smoky Burgess, with Miami adding a 3rd round pick. With Bauta and Hoffman off the market, New York was forced to look at names further down their list.

They brought in Dick Tidrow from the House of David (who also threw in a 7th round pick), giving up a 2nd rounder and 2 prospects: SP Jim Clinton and 3B Chris Brown and then sent a similar package (LaTroy Hawkins, Fritz Coumbe, Mike Bordick, and a 3rd round pick) to Philadelphia for Rheal Cormier and a 4th rounder.

Grade: C. Overpaid on all fronts. Understandable, given the totally shambolic nature of the Black Yankees’ bullpen, but the loss of Hamels may hurt for many years, and Tidrow is little more than a fill-in.

Series XXVIII Featured Series: Cleveland Spiders @ Kansas City Monarchs

By mknn

On March 10, 2023

In Featured Games, Featured Series

Series preview here.

#Game 1: Pat Malone @ Bob Gibson

Early on, it didn’t look good for either Cleveland’s Pat Malone‘s attempt at his 12th win of the year or for Kansas City’s Bob Gibson looking to establish himself in the Monarchs’ rotation.

Louis Santop tripled in Jake Stahl and scored on a groundout from Chuck Knoblauch to give the Spiders a lead in the top of the 2nd, but the game would be tight for a while as Lou Brock doubled in Robinson Canó and scored on a sacrifice fly from Frankie Frisch to tie it up.

Cleveland would retake the lead with a leadoff double from Johnny Bates and an RBI single from John Ellis, but again Kansas City would respond as an error in RF by Ron Blomberg allowed Boog Powell to score, and an RBI single from Canó gave the Monarchs their first lead, at 4-3.

Gibson would be chased in the 5th, surrendering 3 doubles and a walk to the first four batters, with Ellis driving in 1 and Stahl 2. Trevor Rosenthal came in and promptly gave away the store: 4 walks and an HBP and by the end of the inning, the Spiders were ahead, 9-4.

Malone had settled down at this point, and with the Monarchs’ getting a nice effort from Rube Marquard, the game stayed the same until the top of the 9th, when Marquard’s stuff ran out with Sammy Strang driving in 2 and Kenny Lofton 1. That made it 12-4, which was the final tally.

Malone is now tied for the league lead in victories. Ted Simmons had 3 hits for the Monarchs in a losing cause.

CLE 12 (Malone 12-5) @ KCM 4 (Gibson 0-2)
HRs: none.
Box Score

#Game 2: Bill Steen @ Luke Hamlin

A wild pitch by Cleveland’s Bill Steen allowed Ted Simmons (who had tripled) to score in the bottom of the 2nd. Steen walked 3 in the inning, but got Boog Powell to ground out, limiting the Monarchs to a single run.

Steen continued to struggle with his control, but made it through 5 innings only surrendering the 1 run.

You never know which Luke Hamlin will show up for Kansas City. This was the good one, as he spun a 2-hit shutout through 5 innings. The Monarchs do know which Louis Santop shows up, though, as the 19 year old continues to make a name for himself. Here, in the bottom of the 6th, his snap throw to first picked off Ozzie Smith, who had walked.

John Ellis led off the 7th with a double, and moved to 3rd on a single from Lance Berkman, chasing Hamlin from the mound. Santop tied the game with a sacrifice fly, but Frank DiPino was able to get out of the inning without further damage.

Cleveland fans love to disparage Sammy Strang, but the 3B has had a decent year, especially in terms of getting on base. Power has been an issue, but here he led off the 8th with his 2nd homerun of the year, putting the Spiders up, 2-1. The lead was short-lived, as consecutive pinch-hits by Steve Evans and Jack Rowe tied it up in the bottom of the 8th. Ron Reed, who was shaky all inning, got Stan Musial to fly out with 2 on, leaving the game tied heading into the 9th.

And it stayed that way, sending us to extra innings.

In the top of the 11th, Berkman chipped a one-out single into RF, and was replaced by Bill Dahlen. Dahlen moved to second on the 2nd out of the inning and scored on a single by Chuck Knoblauch.

The Monarchs tried to duplicate the pattern: Musial opened the inning with a hit, and was replaced by the pinch-running Frankie Frisch. Terry Adams walked Albert Pujols, prompting Cleveland to go to their bullpen for Bob Feller. Feller could not do it: Ducky Medwick, who had 3 hits on the day, drove home a run with a single, and Willie McGee won the game with a sacrifice fly to deep LF.

CLE 3 (Adams 2-6; Feller 1 B Sv) @ KCM 4 (Pfeffer 5-2; DiPino 2 B Sv) [11 Innings]
HRs: CLE – Strang (2); KCM – none.
Box Score

#Game 3: Stan Coveleski @ Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright has been struggling of late, and it continued, although he escaped damage until the 3rd, when Ron Blomberg singled in a run. John Ellis drove in a 2nd with a sacrifice fly giving the Spiders an early 2-0 lead. Wainwright settled down until Blomberg took him deep in the top of the 6th, increasing Cleveland’s lead to 3-0 and forcing Kansas City to bring in Joe Blong from the pen.

That didn’t work so well: Blong gave up a walk and 5 consecutive hits, pushing the lead to 6-0 and bringing in Adam Russell in relief, who gave up a sacrifice fly before bringing the inning to a close.

Stan Coveleski, on the other hand, went to the bottom of the 6th with the 7-0 lead nursing a 4-hit shutout. The shutout lasted into the 7th, when Lou Brock took Coveleski deep.

Each team added a run, but the outcome was never really in doubt. Blomberg ended with 4 hits for Cleveland while Willie McGee and Brock had 3 hits each for Kansas City in the losing cause.

CLE 8 (Coveleski 11-2) @ KCM 4 (Wainwright 1-5)
HRs: CLE – Blomberg (32); KCM – Brock (9).
Box Score

#Game 4: Cy Young @ Frank Castillo

Neither Cy Young nor Frank Castillo were very good, with each team scoring in the first frame. Cleveland used doubles from Ron Blomberg and Kenny Lofton and Kansas City RBI singles from Stan Musial and Robinson Canó, and we came out of the first inning with the Spiders leading, 3-2.

But, despite allowing a lot of traffic, only one more run crossed the plate until a 3-run shot by Lance Berkman made it 7-2 in favor of Cleveland in the top of the 7th.

Kansas City made it close with a 2 run single from Albert Pujols and a 2 run jack from Ducky Medwick making it a 1-run game at 7-6, but the Spiders’ Terry Adams pitched a perfect 9th for his 25th save giving Cleveland the 3-1 edge in the series.

CLE 7 (Young 9-7; Adams 25 Sv; Porter 11 H) @ KCM 6 (Castillo 6-9)
HRs: CLE – Berkman (8); KCM – Medwick (11).
Box Score

Series XXVIII Preview: Cleveland Spiders @ Kansas City Monarchs

By mknn

On March 7, 2023

In Featured Series, Series Previews

We focused on the Cleveland Spiders in Series VII and Series XIX and on the Kansas City Monarchs way back when in Series VIII and Series X. Since then, a lot has changed: Cleveland sits atop the Effa Manley Division and Kansas City has, effectively, given up on the early promise of their season.

Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders have a 4.5 game lead heading into August, and have gone from “a decent enough team” to a favorite to make the post-season. They’ve retooled their infield, bringing in Arky Vaughan, but will continue to depend on excellent starting pitching and a balanced offense to carry them through.

On the mound, they’ve lost Whit Wyatt, which will hurt, but the trio of Cy Young (8-7, 4.68), Pat Malone (11-5, 3.84), and Stan Coveleski (10-2, 3.55) has been excellent (if, in Young’s case, a bit erratic), and the back of the bullpen–closer Terry Adams (24 saves) and the duo of Cory Gearrin and Chuck Porter–is as good as there is. Ron Reed has struggled some since being brought in at the all-star break, which is something to watch, as is the progress of Bob Feller, recently recalled from AAA.

Offensively, it’s all about Ron Blomberg, who leads the team across the board with a 338/407/649 slash line, 31 homeruns, 80 runs scored, and 87 RBIs. Jake Stahl and John Ellis have been spectacular, and Johnny Bates, Chuck Knoblauch, Louis Santop, and Lance Berkman (slashing 287/439/500 since arriving in Cleveland) excellent. If Vaughan can have a similar impact to Berkman, the Spiders may be spinning a web towards a championship.

Kansas City Monarchs

The Monarchs may have a huge impact on the postseason through the talent they’ve let go: Rogers Hornsby (Portland), Andy Pettitte (Birmingham), and Connie Johnson (Baltimore) all have shot at dramatically impacting their new homes fortune in the postseason.

The team that remains is still solid. The occasionally-brilliant Luke Hamlin leads the starters with 7 wins, and there is literally no ceiling on what Bob Gibson may do now that he’s part of the rotation. Jeff Pfeffer has 15 saves, and the bullpen has been strong getting him the ball.

Stan Musial leads the offense, slashing 332/391/594 with 21 homeruns. Albert Pujols is tied with Musial in RBIs with 77, and second in homeruns with 17. Boog Powell has been quietly spectacular, with an OBP over 400. Throw in Ducky Medwick, Robinson Canó, and Willie McGee, and this offense will continue to score runs.

Projected Starters

Cleveland’s starter listed first.

Pat Malone (11-5, 3.84) @ Bob Gibson (0-1, 3.68)
Bill Steen (8-2, 3.83) @ Luke Hamlin (7-9, 5.04)
Mel Harder (3-1, 3.95) @ Rube Marquard (4-9, 6.12)
Stan Coveleski (10-2, 3.55) @ Adam Wainwright (1-4, 5.70)

Prediction

The strengths of each team collide head-on: Cleveland’s starting pitching against the Monarchs’ bats. But Cleveland can hit a bit, too, so I think they take 3 out of 4.

TWIWBL 34.3: Series XXVII Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On March 3, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Needing a starter, the Spiders put Whit Wyatt on the DL while still awaiting a full diagnosis of his injury. Sudden Sam McDowell was recalled for the game against Homestead. McDowell struggled mightily, but Lance Berkman won the game with a walk-off grandslam, his 13th of the year and 7th since joining the Spiders. Chuck Knoblauch and Johnny Bates added 3 hits each.

Stan Coveleski improved to 10-2 on the year with 8 good innings in a 5-3 win over Homestead.

4 hits by Kenny Lofton, 3 from Sammy Strang, and 2 homeruns from Jake Stahl weren’t enough, as Knoblauch popped out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th to thwart a furious comeback from a 9 run deficit in a game Cleveland lost, 11-10.

The news on Wyatt was quite bad, as he will miss close to a year with an elbow injury. This makes the Spiders even more likely to pursue some trades tomorrow.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Barry Larkin just never could get it going for the ABC’s and Joe Morgan‘s return from his rehab assignment spelled Larkin’s return to AAA. Morgan picked right up in his first game back, scoring twice on 2 hits and 2 walks, and Johnny Bench added 3 hits as Doc White improved to 6-2 with the 6-3 victory over Ottawa.

Morgan’s 4 walks in a 10-6 loss to Ottawa tied a league record. It was a frustrating game for the ABC’s, as they left a staggering 15 runners on base int he contest, including 8 in scoring position with 2 outs. Hal Morris, Bob Bescher, and Denis Menke each had 3 hits, to no avail.

#New York Black Yankees

The Yankees have finally abandoned their bullpen. The need for a starter forced a move, with Sparky Lyle heading to AAA and Dave Righetti, who has excelled since struggling in the WBL earlier in the season, was recalled. Righetti responded with 6 strong innings in a 9-1 victory for New York. Eric Davis, Don Mattingly, and Lou Gehrig each had 2 hits, and Babe Ruth regained the league lead with his 32nd homerun.

#Philadelphia Stars

Tom Sturdivant‘s stay at the WBL was brief, as the righthander was outright waived to clear room for Tim Belcher to make the start.

TWIWBL 33.3: Series XXVI Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On February 17, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Reliever Doug Corbett hasn’t been bad, but with the Spiders needing a starter due to Whit Wyatt‘s thumb injury not healing in time, Corbett was the odd man out, heading back to AAA. Ken Schrom was promoted for his WBL debut, although the club doesn’t expect Schrom to stick around.

Two homeruns by Johnny Bates led Cleveland to a 12-3 lead over Ottawa in a game where Pat Malone improved to 11-5 on the year.

#New York Black Yankees

2 homeruns from Eric Davis (his 26th and 27th of the year) weren’t enough, as the Black Yankees fell to Portland, 6-2.

TWIWBL 32.3: Series XXV Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On February 6, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Whit Wyatt lasted one batter in his start against the House of David before leaving the game with an apparent hand injury. Bill Steen relieved him and delivered a solid 6 innings, improving his record to 8-2 as the Spiders won, 8-4. Ron Blomberg had 3 hits and Peanuts Lowery drove in 3, including his first homerun of the year.

The series saw another twist in the CF saga for the Spiders. Tris Speaker was injured early in Spring Training, leaving a bit of a void, eventually filled by the speedy, and productive, Kenny Lofton. Speaker is back now, and while Lofton has the starting job locked down, Speaker’s talent is undeniable. In this game, he hit his first career homerun.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Sometimes six starters isn’t enough … with no rested starters available among the half-dozen, the ABC’s waived Paul Derringer and recalled Red Faber for a single start. Faber did not pitch well enough to stick around, with Virgil Trucks–dominant at AAA after struggling with Indianapolis earlier in the year–rejoining the big league club after the game.

#Philadelphia Stars

Pete Alexander hit the DL (again) with a hand injury, bringing Wayne Gomes up to the WBL for the first time.

TWIWBL 31.3: Series XXIV Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On January 19, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Pat Malone improved to 10-5 on the year, allowing 3 runs in just over 7 innings in a 4-3 win over Birmingham. Terry Adams earned his 23rd save in a game where Lance Berkman and Evan Longoria had 2 hits.

Longoria plays reasonable defense, but his struggles at the plate earned him a trip back to AAA, with Tris Speaker–injured since Spring Training, but slashing 295/392/636 at AAA on a rehab assignment–being recalled to backup Kenny Lofton in CF. There’s more help at AAA, with both Larry Doby and Nap Lajoie blossoming since their early-season major league struggles.

#Homestead Grays

The Grays roared out to a 9-0 lead over the Black Yankees, then held on for dear life for a 12-9 victory. Andrew McCutcheon had 3 hits, including his 12th homerun of the year, and scored 4 runs. Rick Reichardt had 3 RBI’s and Josh Gibson 3 hits in support of Vean Gregg, who pitched 6 solid innings for his 8th win of the year.

Hal Carlson and Frank Linzy combined to allow only 3 hits and 1 run in a 5-1 victory over the Black Yankees. Andy Van Slyke and Willie Stargell had 3 hits each, with Stargell and Chief Wilson driving in two in the Grays’ victory.

Earl Hamilton was placed on the DL, and isn’t expected back until late August. Bob Friend will move into the rotation as the Grays shake up a lot of their pitching, with Ray Brown and Linzy heading to AAA, replaced by Billy Pierce, Dave Giusti, and–after some waiver wire activity–Rick Ownbey.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Red Faber was sent down to AAA, with Virgil Trucks being recalled to the WBL. Trucks’ stay lasted one poor start, replaced by Eppa Rixey, who was also immediately returned to AA with Paul Derringer coming up for a start.

Even with all that, the ABC’s stick with a 6-man rotation–which boils down to a search each day for the most rested arm out of Dolf Luque, Rube Foster, Doc White, Johnny Cueto, David Price, and Willie Mitchell.

While Barry Larkin and Pete Rose are both struggling–neither have an OPS over .600–for now they both retain their MLB spots, although that should change when Oscar Charleston and Joe Morgan return from the injured list.

#New York Black Yankees

Babe Ruth closed out the series against Homestead with his league-leading 30th homerun of the year, as the Black Yankees hammered the Grays, 13-3. Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Mike Schmidt had 3 hits each as Jack Scott improved to 10-4 with 7 solid innings of work.

The Black Yankees continue to struggle with their middle infield. Derek Jeter and Tom Herr are established as the starters, but the experiment of the two Reds seems over, as Red Schoendienst, hitless in 10 ABs at the WBL level, was returned to AAA, giving Hardy Richardson a crack at the backup role. Red Rolfe remains with the Black Yankees. For now: Pee Wee Reese, picked up after being cut by Brooklyn, has been playing decently at AAA, and may replace Rolfe soon.

#Philadelphia Stars

Scott Rolen went 4-for-5, tying the WBL record for a single game with 3 doubles, but it wasn’t enough as the Stars fell to the Sea Dogs, 3-2 in extra innings as closer Bobby Howry was unable to hold a late lead.

Needing a spot starter, the Stars sent 1B Cecil Cooper back to AAA in exchange for Bill Laskey. Laskey was pretty rough, and sent back after the start, with Bobby Abreu being recalled. In the game itself, Willie Davis (who led off the game with his 16th homerun), Gavvy Cravath, and Rolen combined to go 8-for-11 in the game itself, scoring 7 runs and driving in 6 as the Stars prevailed, 9 to 7.

The shuttle got busier after their series, as, in search of some relief on the mound, Fred Talbot was sent to AAA and Don Carman was placed on waivers with an eye toward doing the same. Larry Jackson was recalled, as was, once Carman cleared waivers, Tom Sturdivant.

TWIWBL 30.3: Series XXIII Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On December 15, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Stan Coveleski moved to 9-2 with over 6 innings of scoreless ball as the Grays beat the ABC’s 6-1. Ron Blomberg homered twice, giving him 26 for the season and Jake Stahl added 3 hits.

#Homestead Grays

Hal Carlson, Ray Brown, and Frank Linzy allowed 1 hit each, and Michael Jackson pitched a perfect 9th to earn his 6th save. Carlson moved to 5-3 in the 4-3 victory over San Francisco in which Andy Van Slyke had 3 hits.

Where has this pitching been all year? The Grays lost Earl Hamilton for 6 weeks, but he, Carlos Zambrano, Josh Lindblom, and Jackson combined to allow only 3 hits in a 2-1 win over the Sea Lions. The win went to Lindblom, now 1-4, and Jackson picked up save number 7. Chief Wilson broke a 1-1 deadlock with his 6th homerun of the year, a solo shot in the top of the 9th.

Van Slyke had 5 hits to fuel an impressive comeback by the Grays that fell just short, as they fell to the Sea Lions 10-9 in the series closer, despite trailing 9-1 heading into the 7th inning. Mike Epstein drove in 5, and Bob Friend put in nearly 5 innings of solid relief after Francisco Liriano was rocked as the starter. Liriano didn’t make it out of the 2nd inning, falling to 5-4 on the season.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Joe Morgan is back on the DL, pulling a hamstring while legging out a triple in a 6-1 loss to Cleveland. Doc Hoblitzell was called up from AAA.

#New York Black Yankees

Ron Guidry put in his best work in a while, allowing 1 earned run in 7 innings against Ottawa. Guidry wasn’t part of the decision, as Ralph Citarella surrendered the lead before the Black Yankees came back for the victory. Gary Lavelle, elevated to closer earlier in the day, picked up his first save for New York.

TWIWBL 29.3: Series XXII Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On September 12, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Jake Stahl hit had 2 hits and 5 RBIs–a grand slam and a solo shot–in support of a very strong start from Bill Steen, leading the Spiders to a 6-1 victory over Brooklyn.

#Homestead Grays

Francisco Liriano and Frank Linzy combined for a 5 hit shutout as 3 hits from Mike Epstein led the Grays to a 5-0 win over Philadelphia.

In the series finale, Honus Wagner drove in 6, including a grand slam, as Homestead broke a back-and-forth game wide open with a 7 run 8th inning. Davey Johnson had 3 hits and drove in 4, and Carlos Zambrano got the win in the 15-7 rout.

#New York Black Yankees

Red Ruffing was the hard luck loser, falling to 10-3 with a complete game effort, surrendering 3 hits and 2 runs to the House of David while striking out 8. The Black Yankees couldn’t score, falling 2-0.

Don Mattingly had 2 homeruns, one a grand slam, leading the Black Yankees to an 8-3 win over the House of David. Mickey Mantle had 3 hits and Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter both went deep as well.

TWIWBL 27.3: Series XXI Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On July 11, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Tris Speaker, injured since spring training, comes off the disabled list for a rehab assignment at AAA. Speaker represents an interesting challenge for the Spiders, as Kenny Lofton has really claimed the CF job for his own.

#Homestead Grays

Billy Pierce heads back to AAA as Hal Carlson comes back from the DL, stepping into the rotation with Ray Brown moving to the bullpen.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

The ABC’s will be without one of their better players as 19 year old Oscar Charleston will miss a few weeks with plantar fasciitis. Pete Rose was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Indianapolis has decided to make an unusual move, turning to a 6-man rotation as a way to get Willie Mitchell some starts. It could be interesting, as it also means all of the rotation may be available in relief between starts.

#New York Black Yankees

The staff stays the same, but some roles change: Cole Hamels takes Jamie Moyer‘s spot in the rotation and Gary Lavelle was announced as the new closer for the Black Yankees, taking over from Sparky Lyle.

Still desperate to solve some issues on the infield, the Black Yankees released both OF Joe Harris and utilityman Craig Counsell, recalling the two Reds, Red Schoendienst and Red Rolfe. The roster construction is a bit fragile, so we’ll see how long it lasts.

#Philadelphia Stars

Steve Carlton threw a complete game, 5-hit shutout and Sherm Lollar went 4-for-4 with 4 RBI’s as the Stars blanked Ottawa, 6-0. Carlton improved to 5-6 on the season, striking out 7 and walking 4. Ted Kluszewski had 3 hits and the other 2 RBI for Philadelphia.

Larry Jackson and Bill Laskey both returned to AAA, with Pete Alexander returning from his rehab assignment and Minnie Rojas being promoted. Alexander moves back into the starting rotation. Roger Peckinpaugh returned to AAA, with Pinky Whitney coming to Philadelphia. Whitney will step into the starting lineup as the Stars have finally given up on Mickey Doolin‘s bat. The problem is that Whitney fields as well as Doolin hits.