#Cleveland Spiders
C Harry Bemis retired from the game.
The Spiders like what they saw in Mel Harder, and signed the starter to a 3 year, $13M contract. They were less enthusiastic about the performance of midseason acquisition Ron Reed, who was supposed to be the magic salve for their bullpen. Reed struggled, but showed enough to earn himself a 3 year, $5.1M contract.
OF Chuck Hostetler and RP Doug Jones both retired at the end of the AAA season.
#Homestead Grays
Mad Dog Madlock had a solid year at AAA, but the 35 year old decided his future lay outside the lines as he announced his retirement.
The Grays signed FA C Del Crandall, presumably to serve as Josh Gibson‘s backup next season.
#Indianapolis ABC’s
IF Casey Candaele and RP Eddie Fisher have both retired from the game.
25 year old free agent Bill Smith was signed to a $14.5M, 3 year deal and is looking to compete for a rotation spot come spring.
#New York Black Yankees
Art Howe capped his career with 3 games and 6 at-bats at the major league level before calling it quits on his time as a player.
The Black Yankees clearly expect Red Ruffing to fully recover form his rotator cuff surgery, signing him to a 5 year, $21M contract.
Red Schoendienst‘s WBL career was pretty unnoticed: 0 hits in 10 at-bats over 3 games. Both he and RP Mike Stanton announced their retirement.
The Black Yankees released 2 veteran arms who were highly ineffective in their time in the Bronx: Dick Tidrow and Jamie Moyer.
#Philadelphia Stars
Marlon Byrd hit well at AAA, but struggled mightily over a couple of short stints with Philadelphia. At 38, he decided to call it a career.
Jaret Wright suffered a major setback, re-tearing his meniscus while trying to rehabilitate it. Wright will be out well into next year, although he may be back in time for some of Spring Training.
Pete Alexander will require surgery on his shoulder, keeping the young pitcher out of action until the middle of next summer.