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TWIWBL 61.1: Year 2, Week 4

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On June 10, 2024

In TWIWBL

April 23

With 3 weeks in the books, teams will have their first real overhaul this week, so expect some changes to lineups, rotations, etc. to be covered in the TWIWBL’s, making them a little longer than usual.

#NO NO and Near No No

José Rijo of the Kansas City Monarchs tossed the very first no-hitter in WBL history, blanking the House of David 7-0. Rijo didn’t walk a batter and struck out 12 in the 114 pitch masterpiece, supported by a 15 hit attack (including 9 doubles). Ozzie Smith had 4 hits, Albert Pujols drove in 2, and Boog Powell scored twice to lead the offense, but it was really all about Rijo, who improved to 2-1 on the year and dropped his ERA by roughly 2.5 points. It still stands a shade over 5 at 5.08, making the historic performance even more surprising.

Box Score

{In real life, Rijo had 2 1-hitters, but never threw a no-no.}

Christy Mathewson and John Montgomery Ward combined for one of the best pitched games in WBL history as the Matty’s New York Gothams bested the Philadelphia Stars 1-0 in 10 innings. Mathewson threw over 7 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits and was–by far–the inferior hurler, as Ward allowed a single hit over 9 innings while striking out 12. Buster Posey took Ward’s relief–Bob Howry–deep to lead off the 10th for the only score of the day.

Box Score

#Awards

Miami‘s Gary Sheffield was the AL Player of the Week, hitting .500 with 2 homeruns. In the NL, Ottawa‘s Larry Walker took the award, hitting .444 with 4 homers and 6 RBIs.

#Team Performance

Three teams have exploded out of the gate: the Chicago American Giants and Kansas City lead the WBL in winning percentage, with both teams at .722 (13-5). The New York Black Yankees are at .700, starting the season at 14-6.

At the other end, the Detroit Wolverines have the worst record in the league at 6-14 (.300) while the Baltimore Black Sox and the Portland Sea Dogs are barely better at 6-13 (.316).

For those of you who remember Year I, the theme here is parity–or inconsistency, depending on your streetcorner. Baltimore are the defending champions, Detroit and Portland both made the playoffs, Kansas City was among the worst teams in the league last season, and the Black Yankees were a major disappointment, missing the postseason entirely.

We’re only 20 games in, so take it all with a grain of salt, but it’s fun to see.

#Player Performance

Batters

20 games seems plenty to look at some leaderboards, at least for hitters in a limited way. This list is the top 2 in most offensive categories, leaders in bold.

Ty Cobb (DET). 400/452/769. 15 2B.
Carlos Correa (HOU). 437/481/648. 31 H.
Eric Davis (NYY). 368/430/763. 9 HR, 26 R, 10 SB.
Tony Gwynn (HOU). 452/474/658. 33 H.
Rickey Henderson (SFS). 306/398/597. 11 SB.
Joe Jackson (CAG). 425/462/671. 31 H, 12 2B.
Grant Johnson (HOU). 319/373/609. 23 RBI.
Dick Lundy (SFS). 384/451/685. 4 3B, 1.8 WAR.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 362/471/812. 9 HR, 27 RBI, 20 R, 1.7 WAR.
Ryne Sandberg (HOD). 383/406/900. 9 HR.
Joey Votto (IND). 360/484/500.
Larry Walker (OTT). 435/474/826.
Bobby Wallace (BAL). 22 BB. 279/476/377.

There are some surprises here for sure: Correa and Johnson in Houston finally coming good, same with San Francisco‘s Lundy. But it still looks like it’s Babe Ruth’s league, assuming Sandberg’s performance falls back to mere excellence.

Pitchers

Still not enough to really get into stats: 13 starters have 3 wins, nobody has over 30 IP, etc. But some things to note:

  • It seems like there is always a single starting pitcher head and shoulders above the rest at any given time in the WBL. Right now, it’s Portland’s Smokey Joe Wood, who is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA.
  • Houston’s Toad Ramsey is the ERA leader at an impressive 1.57, just ahead of Wood. Chicago’s Mark Buehrle is the only other starter with an ERA beneath 2.00 at 1.86.

Relievers have yet to really separate as well, as 5 of them have 5 saves on the season so far.

#Featured Series

This time we’ll focus on a four game set as the Los Angeles Angels visit Chicago to take on the American Giants. The Angels come into the game at 10-9 which is essentially “as expected,” while Chicago has roared out of the gate, sitting 1t 15-6.

Scheduled Starters

Los Angeles hurler listed first.

Tom Seaver (1-0, 3.00) @ David Price (2-2, 5.40)
Dwight Gooden (1-2, 3.24) @ Ed Walsh (1-0, 3.80)
Pud Galvin (0-2, 4.85) @ Mark Buehrle (4-0, 1.32)
Brett Anderson (2-1, 4.76) @ Ben Sheets (0-1, 7.71)

Game One

It was a rough start for David Price, as he gave up 2 runs in the top of the first on an RBI single by Mike Trout and a sacrifice fly from Doug Rader. But Price settled right down, and was virtually perfect the rest of the way before being relieved by Hoyt Wilhelm in the 7th. Tom Seaver was as good, leaving in the 6th inning having given up only 1 run.

The American Giants would score again in the 7th, but that would be it until the bottom of the 10th. Mike Fiore led off being hit by a pitch from Julio Teheran, Joe Jackson doubled him to 3rd and, after Ross Reynolds took over on the mound and issued an intentional walk to Frank Thomas, Dick Allen lifted a ball deep to center, where it was caught by Don Buford, but he had no chance to catch Fiore before he crossed the plate with the winning run.

LAA 2 (Teheran 1-2; Patterson 1 H; Lowry 2 BSv) @ CAG 3 (Wilhelm 1-0) [10 Innings]
HRs: None.
Box Score

Game Two

The story for most of the game was Los Angeles’ Doc Gooden, who was spectacular through 8 innings, allowing only 3 hits while fanning 10. The only blemish on Gooden’s day was a solo shot to Duffy Lewis, which tied the game at 1 in the 8th.

We were headed to extra innings once again, but there was less drama this time as the Angels used 3 homeruns in the top of the 10th (Doug Rader, Bobby Grich, and AJ Pierzynski) to ease to the 5-1 win.

LAA 5 (Rodríguez 1-0) @ CAG 1 (Twitchell 2-1) [10 Innings]
HRs: LAA – Rader (2), Grich (6), Pierzynski (4); CAG – Lewis (1).
Box Score

Game Three

Mark Buehrle just keeps rolling along, allowing 5 hits and 1 run over 9 innings and improving to 5-0 on the year. But the Angels’ pitchers were almost as good, and the only tallies in the game came from solo shots from Chicago’s Dave Nilsson and the Angels’ Mike Trout, who seems to be waking from an early season slumber. The game came down to a walkoff single from Joe Jackson in the bottom of the 9th. Jackson, Eddie Collins, and Paul Konerko had 2 hits each for Chicago.

LAA 1 (DeSclafani 0-1) @ CAG 2 (Buehrle 5-0)
HRs: LAA – Trout (3); CAG – Nilsson (1).
Box Score

Game Four

Another great pair of efforts from the starting pitchers, as Los Angeles’ Brett Anderson and Chicago’s Ben Sheets each went 7 innings allowing only a single hit each, and no earned runs (errors had allowed runs to score for each team). A key hit from rookie Ichiro Suzuki drove in 2, providing the margin the Angels needed for a 4-1 victory, splitting the series 2 games apiece. Neither team had an extra base hit, and they combined for only 6 singles (4 for Los Angeles and 2 for the American Giants).

LAA 4 (Anderson 3-1; Reynolds 1 Sv) @ CAG 1 (Sheets 0-2; Otsuka 1 B Sv)
HRs: None.
Box Score

TWIWBL 59.3: Cum Posey Division

By

On May 17, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Chicago American Giants

Eddie Collins had 4 hits and scored 3 times as Chicago topped Detroit 9-2. David Price improved to 2-0 with 5+ scoreless innings, and Ed Walsh closed it out for the rare 3-inning save for the American Giants.

Joe Jackson had 4 hits and 3 doubles helping the American Giants to a 6-4 victory over Detroit. Frank Thomas had 3 hits and Mark Buehrle threw 6 strong innings, improving to 2-0.

Needing a starter, the American Giants moved Ted Lilly to the minors, bringing up veteran Jamie Moyer. Moyer delivered a solid 5 innings, and Thomas had 4 hits as Chicago beat Miami 8-3. Moyer’s performance–and his left-handedness–will keep him in the WBL for a little while longer.

Mike Fiore had struggled quite a bit in the early going for Chicago, but given some at-bats in a blowout, he delivered with his first 2 homeruns of the season. That was about all the good news as the American Giants fell to Miami, 13-5.

#Los Angeles Angels

Elmer “Mike” Smith went to the DL with a dead arm with Ross Reynolds being recalled from AAA.

Don Buford went deep twice to give the Angels an early lead, and then they piled it on in a 12-2 thrashing of Portland. Steve Garvey drove in 4 and Bobby Grich 3 in support of a nice start from Doc Gooden, who allowed 3 hits and 1 run in 7 innings.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Back to back homeruns in the bottom of the 9th by Robin Yount and Ryan Braun rescued the Cuban Giants against the Sea Lions. Leading 10-5 at the start of the 9th, Miami saw Adonis Terry get hammered for 7 runs before Yount tied the game and Braun provided the walkoff in the bottom of the frame.

Jim Thome had 3 hits, including 2 homeruns, but it wasn’t enough as the Cuban Giants fell to the American Giants, 7-5. Thome went deep twice again in a game against Chicago, and this time it was enough, as every starter had at least 1 hit and José Canseco, Yount, and Gary Sheffield also went deep in a 13-5 walkover for the Cuban Giants.

#Portland Sea Dogs

After the opening game of their series against Cleveland, Johan Santana has now pitched in 4 games, giving up 7 hits in 1.1 IP, including 5 homeruns. His record is 0-4 with 4 blown saves and an ERA of 60.75: that’s right, he threw 2/3 of an inning, gave up 2 runs, and saw his ERA go down.

Ken Griffy, Jr. is still finding his footing in Portland, but hitting 2 homeruns in a 9-2 win over Cleveland is a good sign. As important for the Sea Dogs, Pascual Pérez improved his record to 2-0 with 6 shutout innings and has yet to allow a run over his 2 starts.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Jack Clark hit 2 homeruns and Rickey Henderson, Jimmie Foxx, and Mickey Cochrane also went deep as the Sea Lions defeated the Cuban Giants 10-8.

The Sea Lions scored 7 runs in the 9th to take a 12-10 lead over Miami, but lost when Rod Beck blew his first save of the year in the bottom of the frame. Turkey Stearnes had 4 hits and Jimmy Bloodworth drove in 3 in the loss.

Tim Hudson will be out about 4 months with a forearm injury that has to put the 37 year old’s career in jeopardy as well. Watty Clark will complete his transition to starter by taking Hudson’s spot in the rotation initially, with Bobby Seay being recalled to take Clark’s spot in the bullpen.

The Sea Lions lost a 6-1 lead before scoring 5 times in the top of the 9th to top the Black Yankees 11-9. San Francisco hit 6 homeruns in the game, with Stearnes going yard twice and Reggie Jackson, Henderson, Foxx, and Cochrane each going deep as well. Beck pitched a scoreless 9th for his 5th save of the year.

Year II Season Preview: Miami Cuban Giants

By

On March 27, 2024

In Team News

Expectations

To no longer be considered one of the absolute worst teams in the league would be a nice start.

Best Case

Camilo Pascual, Freddie Fitzsimmons, and José Méndez form a strong front of the rotation and Cole Hamels joins them, fulfilling the promise he showed early in the season with the Black Yankees. Offensively, José Canseco repeats, but is joined by … someone–Paul Molitor or Gary Sheffield or Alejandro Oms or even Yasiel Puig–as a formidable offensive force, with Cookie Rojas recovering the form he showed with the Gothams, and and and … you get the idea. Everyone improves in every way.

Worst Case

Ouch. Everyone with high expectations becomes Martín Dihigo from last year, a continual disappointment showing just enough promise to keep from being jettisoned. One issue here is that a significant amount of the talent on the roster is very, very young and therefore several years away from really showing their true potential (for example, Dihigo is 18, Oms 20)

Key Questions

  • How does the rest of the staff fill out?
  • Can the continued development of Eustaquio Pedroso and Dihigo as two way players bear enough fruit to warrant continuing the experiment?

Trade Bait

I mean … maybe? The problem is that a team building for the future whose best assets are its young talent will often find it difficult to locate a good trading partner.

Yeah … so … that happened. It’s hard to boil the trade down: the Cuban Giants gave up Molitor, top draft pick Vladimir Guerrero, and some stuff, getting back Iván Rodríguez and a few useful possibilities (Al Oliver, Jon Matlack, Adolis García). So, this year, it’s Molitor for Pudge. But losing Guerrero is a potential big deal.

Roster Evaluation

POSEliteStrongSolidMehWeakUnknown
CRodríguezBurgess
1BThomeMiñoso
2BDihigo
Rojas
3BSheffield
SSYount
LF/
RF		CansecoPuigBraunOliver
Rodríguez
CFOms
SPPascualSmithHamels
Martínez
Méndez		Fitzsimmons
EndConsuegraNolasco
Terry
RPLooper
Pedroso		Latman
New Addition | Injured

Doesn’t look like a playoff contender to me. Pudge really does help, though, and .500 might–might–be within reach.

Talent Ratings

WBLMinors
Raw PowerIF Jim Thome1B Willie McCovey
Batting EyeIF Jim ThomeU Carlos Morán
ContactU Cookie Rojas2B Nellie Fox
Running SpeedOF Alejandro OmsIF Charlie Briggs
OF Bert Campaneris
IF Luis Castillo
OF Marquis Grissom
OF Eddie Milner
Base StealingOF Alejandro OmsIF Jiggs Donahue
OF Marquis Grissom
IF DefenseU Martín Dihigo3B Willie Kamm
OF DefenseOF Yasiel PuigOF Tony González
StuffP Adonis TerryP Gary Gentry
ControlP Freddie FitzsimmonsP Dale Murray
VelocitySP Cole HamelsP Brad Brach

Best In The Minors

RankAgePOSName
1 (22)20PJosh Beckett
2 (103)20CFJulio Rodríguez
3 (111)18PJon Matlack
4 (142)24PFreddie Fitzsimmons
5 (159)23CSmoky Burgess
6 (184)23UBert Campaneris
Others: None

On the one hand, the cupboard is pretty bare; on the other hand, the Cuban Giants are among the youngest teams in the league, so many of their “prospects” are already in Miami, joined this year by Rodríguez, Burgess, and Fitzsimmons.

MostLeast
AgeC Clyde Sukeforth, 37P Ed Seward, 17
Height1B Richie Sexson, 6’8″P Phenomenal Smith, 5’6″
U Carlos Morán, 5’6″
OPSOF Carlos Quentin, 1.381 (—)1B Julio Becquer, .504 (AA)
HROF Carlos Quentin, 81 (—)OF José Tartabull, 0 (AAA/AA)
OF Carlos Morán, 0 (WBL)
IF Luis Castillo, 0 (AA)
SBOF José Canseco, 29 (WBL)
OF Marquis Grissom, 29 (—)		Many with 0
WAROF Carlos Quentin, 6.7 (—)IF Russell Branyan, -2.2 (—)
WCamilo Pascual, 12 (WBL)
Ed Brandt, 12 (—-)
Denny Lemaster, 12 (—-)
Marcus Stroman, 12 (—-)		Johnny Murphy, 3 (AAA/AA)
SVBob Gillespie, 19 (—)
Jim Roland, 19 (—)
ERAJohn Boozer, 2.26 (—)Mike Morgan, 6.67 (AAA/AA)
WARMarcus Stroman, 5.1 (—)Nick Strincevich, -0.6 (AAA/AA)
Stats are across all levels. 200 PA / 75 IP min. Non WBL leagues indicated by —.

TWIWBL 56.14: Spring Training Notes – Miami Cuban Giants

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On March 2, 2024

In TWIWBL

Spring Training Questions

There are a lot of open competitions this Spring: will Alan Ashby or Smoky Burgess seize the C position? Where, if anywhere, will Minnie Miñoso play? How does the OF resolve, without a true CF on the roster at the moment.

Speaking of CF … last year’s primary starter, Carlos Morán, has been working out at 3B, clearing the way for 3rd round pick, Roy Thomas, to have a shot at the starting job out there.

First Cuts

Marcus Stroman, Gary Gentry, and Scott Linebrink all exited camp while Barry Latman, Sandy Consuegra, Ed Brandt, and Josh Beckett all improved their chances of making the opening day roster.

Behind the plate, Alan Ashby‘s performance last season keeps him in camp while Joe Oliver heads back to the minors. Oliver is the only departure, as Harry Danning, and especially Clyde Sukeforth, are hitting too well so far to be sent down.

The Cuban Giants are going to wait before making decisions at 1B, as they still hope that either Richie Sexson or veteran Willie McCovey can provide some much-needed power. But right now, the only 1B who is hitting is the one nobody expected, Ramón Webster. 3B Joe Dugan was sent down.

Miami is ecstatic over what Cookie Rojas and Martín Dihigo have shown so far, especially Dihigo who may have been the worst hitting regular in the WBL last season. Luis Castillo has done enough to warrant some more opportunities, but Nellie Fox will head back to minor league camp along with SS Zoilo Versalles and Alexei Ramírez. Bert Campaneris has hit worse than either of those two, but will be given a few more shots to make the roster.

In the OF, neither Vladimir Guerrero nor Julio Rodríguez were given much chance to make the team, and while Guerrero will head back to the minors, Rodríguez has shown more than enough to stick around for a little while. Jason Bay, José Tartabull, Mike Brown, Tommie Agee, Hideki Matsui, and Marquis Grissom join Guerrero in minor league camp, but that still leaves Miami with over a dozen OFers in camp, with the pressure especially high on José Cardenal and Roy Thomas to show more than they have so far.

Tony González, Sandy Amorós, and Bob Loane join Rodríguez as early surprises.

Second Cuts

Adonis Terry is the only arm sent to minor league camp as the Cuban Giants hope the quartet of Chris Resop, Freddie Fitzsimmons, Eustaquio Pedroso, and Camilo Pascual can recapture their form from last season.

Alan Ashby and Chris Hoiles were assumed to be set for roster spots, but both need to step up their game, especially Ashby, who has started Spring Training hitless in 12 at-bats.

Richie Sexson was the odd man out at 1B, heading to minor league camp. He was joined by Bert Campaneris and Eddie Milner, but the Cuban Giants really need some of their offensive talent to sort itself out, with a dozen OFers and 10 IFers still in camp.

Third Cuts

Chris Resop and Marcelino López were sent to AAA as the staff starts to round into shape for Miami. Adonis Terry, who was sent to minor league camp, hid in a locker for a couple days, and is still around.

Harry Danning‘s departure still leaves four catchers in camp (five if you count Eustaquio Pedroso, who can fill in there as well). Smoky Burgess has clearly claimed the starting spot, but last year’s contributors–Chris Hoiles and Alan Ashby–are struggling to hit while dark horse Clyde Sukeforth is doing OK with the stick.

Nellie Fox, Sandy Amorós, Tony González, and Bob Loane were all sent to AAA.

This pattern repeats throughout the roster: Willie McCovey and Ramón Webster are knocking the cover off the ball while the more established players at 1B (Jim Thome and Minnie Miñoso) continue to struggle, although Thome’s clear moon-shot power does give him a leg up.

On the IF, both Robin Yount and Paul Molitor are struggling mightily, while Martín Dihigo is absolutely ripping the cover off the ball. With Cookie Rojas, Gary Sheffield, and Ryan Braun also in the mix, something needs to give for Miami.

In the OF, Miami had anticipated coming out of camp with a new starting CF, but they thought it would be Roy Thomas, whose eye is impressive, but has shown little else. With Julio Rodríguez hitting everything in sight, the CF competition remains fierce.

Final Cuts

Newly acquired Adolis Garcia was the first to be sent down and the acquisition of Pudge allowed the Cuban Giants to move Clyde Sukeforth to the minors.

Carlos Morán is learning a new position at 3B, a spot quite crowded for Miami. Morán will start the season at AAA learning the hot corner. Likewise, Ramón Webster, despite a nice showing this Spring, heads to AAA, leaving only 5 players in camp capable of playing first.

The Cuban Giants demoted three players to get to 30: C Chris Hoiles, 1B Willie McCovey, and 2B Luis Castillo. Pudge and Al Oliver‘s arrival allows the first two moves, Castillo’s poor Spring the final one.

The Cuban Giants are desperate for pitching so Spring performances may be more impactful than they should. Ps Ed Brandt and Roenis Elías were easy choices, along with OF José Cardenal.

Roy Thomas was drafted with the hope he could potentially take over in CF, providing a high OBP option at the top of Miami’s lineup. Julio Rodríguez was brought to Spring Training as a way to give the 20 year old a taste of big league pitching. Instead, Thomas heads to AAA and Rodríguez is breaking camp with the team.

That leaves one, and the choice is between Yasiel Puig and his horrible Spring after an electric debut with Miami last fall and the wildness and potential of young Josh Beckett. The Cuban Giants think Beckett will benefit from regular starts, and send him to AAA, keeping Puig.

TWIWBL 55.4: Offseason Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By

On January 11, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

IF Rabbit Maranville decided to hang up his cleats after a year that saw him play in only 9 games as a 39 year old.

34 year old Charlie Keller decided to retire, despite a solid showing for Atlanta (after a horrible start to the season with Newark).

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Reliever Eric Gagne will be back for at least one more year, signing a $890k contract. There are rumors that this may mean Gagne moves into the closer’s role with Watty Clark becoming a starter. The challenge here is that Clark was very effective as a closer.

The Royal Giants released C Steve Yeager and OF Michael Brantley.

#Miami Cuban Giants

32 year old 1B Carlos Peña decided to hang up his cleats, despite slugging over .700 at AAA. But with only 10 WBL at-bats and a bit of a logjam at 1B in front of him, he decided his best choice was to move on from his playing days.

The Cuban Giants avoided arbitration with Gary Sheffield, signing him to a $1.2M, one year deal. Clearly, the amount is based on Sheffield’s potential, not his somewhat underwhelming numbers from last year.

#Portland Sea Dogs

A trio of 35 year old hurlers retired from Portland’s AA club: Jim Perry, Will Harris, and Tippy Martinez. Perry was hit hard and Harris rarely used, but Martinez had a decent year, so his announcement at least was a bit of a surprise.

40 year old knuckleballer Charlie Hough decided enough was enough, deciding to retire at the end of the AAA season.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

40 year old Chipper Jones had wanted to go out with a little more fanfare. Instead, a 131/233/263 start over roughly 100 AB’s with Birmingham led to him being cut, picked up by San Francisco, but hitting even worse for the Sea Lions at AAA. Jones and fellow 3B Lave Cross both announced their retirement from the game.

Minor league OF Tony Armas lost his arbitration case, but will still earn $310k next season.

San Francisco released 2B Keith Ginter and P Carlos Carrasco, with neither move being particularly surprising.

Season Review: Miami Cuban Giants

By

On December 18, 2023

In Season Reviews, Team News

65 - 89, .422 pct.
5th in Marvin Miller Division, 19.5 games behind.

Overall

It was considered an accomplishment that Miami didn’t end up with the worst record in the WBL: that’s how low expectations were. As such, finding anything to cheer–José Canseco, Robin Yount, Camilo Pascual–makes it a successful season.

It’s all about the future, and while it isn’t exactly bright yet, there are some glimmers of hope in South Beach.

What Went Right

Not a helluva lot.

The Cuban Giants were bad. But they were supposed to be bad. The surprise was they didn’t end up with the worst record in the league: there is hope here, even if it is a few years away.

José Canseco had a nice season, with 35 homeruns and an .889 OPS, leading the team in most statistical categories.

Yasiel Puig and Smoky Burgess showed enough at the end of the season for some optimism about their roles next year, and Robin Yount did enough to lock down the SS position.

Martín Dihigo may be the best defensive prospect in the history of the game.

Eustaquio Pedroso and Alejandro Oms did enough to be intriguing (while Pedroso may never be much above average in the field or on the mound, he does both serviceably; Oms has star power).

Camilo Pascual looks like a front of the rotation starter and both José Méndez and Ramón Martínez showed flashes of that as well. Freddie Fitzsimmons and Phenomenal Smith were strong in brief showings, although Smith’s recovery from injury bears watching.

ALL STAR SELECTIONS
OF José Canseco

What Went Wrong

Nobody could really take the C, 1B, 3B, or LF spot and claim it, although Jim Thome‘s tendency to launch 500 foot homeruns on the rare occasions he makes contact has certainly made him a fan favorite.

Martín Dihigo was the worst offensive performer in the league, perhaps.

Cole Hamels sort of imploded after his arrival. Hopefully, he bounces back.

Most everyone else who took the mound for Miami stunk up the joint.

Trade Evaluations

March

OF Yasiel Puig, 2B Cookie Rojas, 1B Joe Adcock, SP Liván Hernández to New York Gothams for 1B Will Clark, C Harry Danning, OF Carlos Morán

Half these guys came back, so we’ll net it out below. Morán did well enough, and looks like a keeper.

June

3B Manny Machado to Baltimore for P Mike Morgan, 1B Richie Sexson, C Chris Hoiles, 3B Joe Dugan

Machado was their second best player at this point, but there also was a logjam of talent on the left side of the infield. Sexson has potential, and Hoiles should be on the roster next year. Still, a bit of a loss here overall.

P Tommy Bridges to San Francisco for P Shawn Estes, P Turk Wendell & 5th Round Pick

Meh all around. Bridges was expendable, so getting anything is fine.

P Don Newcombe, P Clay Condrey & 4th Round Pick to Chicago for OF Minnie Miñoso

Newcombe can’t keep the ball in the park, and it doesn’t feel like you can get Miñoso’s potential in the 4th round. Would feel better about it if he hadn’t struggled so mightily after coming to Miami.

July

P Ed Bauta, 6th Round Pick & 7th Round Pick to House of David for IF Bert Campaneris, P Jeff Heathcock & 3rd Round Pick {Roy Thomas}

Feels like a steal.

P Rube Waddell, 2B Pete Runnels, 1B Will Clark to New York Gothams for P Freddie Fitzsimmons, 2B Cookie Rojas, OF Yasiel Puig & 2nd Round Pick {Josh Beckett}

OK, so you net this out and the deal is Adcock, Hernández, Runnels, and Waddell for Fitzsimmons, Danning, Morán, and a pick, which turned into Josh Beckett. Feels fine if Fitzsimmons or Beckett pan out.

Looking Forward

SP

Pascual, Méndez, and Hamels should be solid. But it drops pretty quickly after that. An area of need.

RP

Please, anybody. Pedroso and Dihigo will help out here occasionally.

C

Burgess and Andy Ashby should handle this next year, but unless Burgess takes control, this is an area of long term need.

1B

Some mixture of Thome, an aging Willie McCovey, and a young Richie Sexson should be OK here, although there could be an upgrade for sure.

2B

Cookie Rojas for now, with some spells from Paul Molitor (although Rojas may end up seeing more time in CF than anticipated). Long term, this is probably Martín Dihigo‘s most played spot.

3B

Carlos Móran‘s surprising shift here highlights how unsettled the position is. Gary Sheffield and Minnie Miñoso will both get time as well, although neither is a long term solve here. Willie Kamm has shown some promise, but again a long-term solve here would be good.

SS

Robin Yount, with some help eventually from Bert Campaneris. But basically Yount.

LF

Ryan Braun for now.

CF

This was a position of strength for the team last season, but seems like there has been regression across the board. Guessing Alejandro Oms sees a lot of time here, although Rojas can play here as well.

RF

Canseco and Puig.

The Rookie Draft

Rounds 1-4

This is a franchise that needs long term, top end talent. Given that, 19 year old Vladimir Guerrero was a no-brainer at #2 in the first round. Another teenager, CF Julio Rodríguez, was taken in round 2, which feels like the right kind of risk for the Cuban Giants. With the 17th pick of that round, they took their first pitcher, franchise selection Josh Beckett.

In the 3rd round, the Cuban Giants were pretty shocked that CF Roy Thomas–who could step right into their starting lineup–was still available.

Rounds 5-8

With the second pick of the 5th round, Miami exhausted their franchise exemptions with the choice of OF Jason Bay. They followed that with OF Mark Kotsay and P Jim Colborn.

Rounds 9-12

OF Randy Arozarena; P Luis Tiant, Sr; P José Lima; and 1B José López.

Series XXXI Best Games

By

On May 2, 2023

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

This time, we have two see-saw games and two series that deserve a little focus.

Let’s do the one-offs first.

#Homestead Grays @ Ottawa Mounties, Game 1

This one got wild. Ottawa took the lead on Larry Walker‘s 18th homerun of the year, a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first. Hits from Davey Johnson and Roberto Clemente got a run back for Homestead, but Ottawa scored 2 on a single from Roberto Alomar to increase their lead to 4-1. Homestead’s Rick Reichardt sent a pitch from Clayton Richard into the stands to tie the game in the top of the 3rd, so, we’re back to all square at 4-4.

The game continued to swing back and forth: a sacrifice fly from Johnson offset a solo shot from Roy Sievers, but an RBI double from Andy Van Slyke put Homestead back on top momentarily: a 2-run double from Sievers and a single from Bernie Allen gave Ottawa a 2-run lead, 8-6.

And then the 9th. Ted Bowsfield started the inning for Ottawa, walking Mike Epstein and giving up a single to Van Slyke. Bowsfield grabbed his elbow after the hit, and the Mounties brought in their closer, Ryan Dempster. Dempster retired 2 and walked one, loading the bases with Johnson at the plate. He singled to right, driving in 2. Perhaps more importantly for Ottawa, their star RF, Walker, was forced out of the game after the throw. But, the game was tied.

Tied, that is, until a single from Rusty Staub scored Carlos Beltrán to give the Mounties a walk off victory.

Nobody pitched particularly well, but Ottawa’s Monk Dubiel and Dempster did manage to escape without being scored on.

Both Bowsfield and Walker were sent to the DL after the game, with Chris Leroux and Sam Thompson being recalled from AAA.

HOM 8 (Ownbey 1-3; Brown 1 B Sv) @ OTT 9 (Dempster 4-1, 2 B Sv; Bowsfield 7 H)
HRs: HOM – Reichardt (21); OTT – Walker (18), Sievers (7).
Box Score

#San Francisco Sea Lions @ Detroit Wolverines, Game 2

This one had everything except good pitching (Mickey Lolich‘s 2 innings of clean relief for Detroit notwithstanding).

San Francisco kicked off the game with a bang: a leadoff homerun from Rickey Henderson, a 2 run shot from Reggie Jackson, and an RBI groundout from Phil Garner made it 4-0 Sea Lions before Diego Seguí threw his first pitch.

But the Bailey Boys got to him the following inning: Ed Bailey launched a 3 run shot and Bob Bailey added an RBI groundout to score Sparky Adams, who had doubled, tying the game at 4. Momentarily: Garner went deep and another run scored on a Sal Bando single, putting San Francisco back on top, 7-4. A solo shot from Hank Greenberg clawed one back, but a 2-run single from San Francisco’s Pedro Guerrero made it 9-5 heading into the 6th, when Detroit chased Seguí and hammered his replacement, James Shields, who only lasted 4 batters. Al Kaline singled home one run and Tony Phillips brought in another with a double. By the time it was all done, San Francisco’s lead was slashed to a single run, 9-8. Kaline would put the Wolverines in front with a 3-run shot in the 7th, and a Bob Bailey triple scored Phillips, who was hit by a pitch. Suddenly, Detroit was up, 12-9.

Their closer (and the WBL leader in saves), Mike Henneman, struggled in the 9th, facing 8 batters and giving up 2 runs (one on a solo shot by Jimmie Foxx, the other on a single by Guerrero). But he got Jack Clark to ground out with 2 batters on to preserve the victory.

SFS 11 (LaRoche 1-1, 1 B Sv; Hadley 2 H) @ DET 13 (Bradford 2-0)
HRs: SFS – Jackson (25), Henderson (6), Foxx (2); DET – E. Bailey (6), Greenberg 2 (24), Kaline (5).
Box Score

#Memphis Red Sox @ Miami Cuban Giants, Games 1 & 3

This series is a battle of basement teams, but that doesn’t keep the games from being entertaining.

The Red Sox scored 4 runs early with the RBIs coming on a sacrifice fly, a fielder’s choice, a bases-loaded walk, and an error by Miami’s shortstop, Robin Yount. Miami took a more conventional route back: a walk and 4 singles scored 3 runs in the 4th. But they followed Memphis’ lead to tie the game, as a sacrifice fly from José Cardenal plated Ryan Braun. The Cuban Giants then took the lead on a solo shot from their best player, José Canseco.

Wade Boggs finally brought home a conventional run for Memphis in the 8th with a single, but the Red Sox immediately reverted to form, with a bases-loaded walk and another sacrifice fly giving them a 7-5 lead. Three perfect relief innings from Turk Farrell, Heath Bell, and Jonathan Papelbon, closed the game out.

Ted Williams and Bill White finished the game with 3 hits each for Memphis; Cookie Rojas had 3 for Miami.

MEM 7 (Farrell 2-3; Papelbon 11 Sv; Bell 5 H; Callahan 4 B Sv) @ MCG 5 (Consuegra 0-4)
HRs: MEM – none; MCG – Canseco (30).
Box Score

In Game 3, Memphis was up 6-0, and then 8-5, powered by a grandslam from David Justice and 2 homers from Billy Bryan. It wasn’t enough: Minnie Miñoso broke out of his funk with 3 hits and 3 RBIs and Cookie Rojas, Gary Sheffield, and Chris Hoiles each drove in 2. As importantly for Miami, Eustaquio Pedroso, Sandy Consuegra, Ricky Nolasco, and Braden Looper combined for 4 innings of 1-hit relief of an ineffective Ramón Martínez.

MEM 8 (Callahan 5-10) @ MCG 11 (Pedroso 7-6; Looper 3 Sv; Consuegra 2 H; Nolasco 2 H)
HRs: none.
Box Score

New York Black Yankees @ Houston Colt 45’s, Games 2 and 4

In Game 2, Houston had a 6-3 lead heading to the 9th inning. The Colt 45’s got 2-run shots from Jim O’Rourke and Tony Gwynn and a solo dinger from Jorge Posada to take the lead.

The problem was their closer, Billy Wagner, was tired, leaving them turning to Brad Lidge, who had been solid since his recall, but here reverted to his old form: an RBI groundout from Tom Herr and a 3-run shot from Don Mattingly put the Black Yankees up 7-6.

Andrés Galarraga singled home a run in the bottom of the 9th, sending us to extra innings. Mattingly and Eric Davis homered in the 10th to put New York up 11-7, which seemed safe until you remembered the fragility of the Black Yankees’ bullpen. Here, Ralph Citarella and Rheal Cormier gave up RBI’s to Jim Wynn and Craig Biggio, but Cormier fanned Galarraga with the tying run on third base to close it out.

NYY 11 (Chapman 1-0, 1 B Sv; Cormier 1 Sv) @ HOU 10 (Kern 0-2; Chamberlain 1 H; McGraw 7 H; Lidge 4 B Sv) [10 Innings]
HRs: Mattingly 2 (26), Davis (31); HOU – O’Rourke (6), Gwynn (8), Posada (7).
Box Score

Game 4 of the series was a similar story: a Houston comeback that just fell short. Mattingly had 3 hits and 3 RBIs and Mike Schmidt hit his 17th homerun for the Black Yankees, who also got 3 brilliant innings from Goose Gossage. They did have to withstand a horrible outing from the heretofore solid Dick Tidrow, who surrendered 4 hits (2 to pinch hitters Jim O’Rourke and Harry Stovey) and 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

Andrés Galarraga had 4 hits and Casey Stengel and Jorge Posada had 3 each for Houston. Tug McGraw closed the game for the Colt 45’s, and has yet to surrender a run in his first 10 innings at the WBL level.

NYY 8 (Gossage 5-4; Chapman 5 Sv; Citarella 10 H) @ HOU 7 (Strasburg 7-7)
HRs: NYY – Schmidt (17); HOU – Stengel (9), Biggio (7).
Box Score

Series XXVII Featured Matchup: Detroit Wolverines @ Miami Cuban Giants

By

On February 24, 2023

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

Game 1: Gene Conley @ Roenis Elias

Detroit scored first after loading the bases in the 2nd, but only managed a single tally on an RBI groundout by Robby Thompson. Will Clark tied it in the bottom of the frame with his 18th homerun of the season.

Roenis Elias has been on a hot streak, and it continued here, as he settled down, allowing 3 hits while striking out 8 over 6 innings. Detroit’s Gene Conley has matched him frame for frame, allowing only 1 run on 2 hits in the same stretch.

In the bottom of the 6th, things took an unlikely turn: Martín Dihigo, he of the .170 average, launched a pitch from Conley nearly 450 feet into leftfield for his first homerun and a 2-1 lead for Miami. Gary Sheffield tripled home a run to make it 3-1, ending Conley’s day in favor of Mickey Lolich.

With 2 outs in the 7th, Elias gave up a solo shot to Al Kaline–the first of his WBL career. That brought in Chris Resop, who closed it out preserving the one run lead for Miami.

Alan Ashby led off the bottom of the 7th with a single, and Paul Molitor came on to run. Two outs later, and Dihigo was up again, this time against Detroit’s reliever Kevin Hart. With the lead, the Cuban Giants kept Dihigo in the game for his glove. He delivered a much more typical response, grounding out weakly to second to end the inning.

It all worked out: Resop and Ed Bauta passed the baton to Aroldis Chapman, who shut the door in the 9th.

DET 2 (Conley 10-3) @ MCG 3 (Elias 5-3; Chapman 19 Sv; Resop 1 H; Bauta 11 H)
HRs: DET – Kaline (1); MCG – Clark (18), Dihigo (1).
Box Score

Game 2: Si Johnson @ Rube Waddell

Detroit comes into the game with a bit of an infield crisis: Sparky Adams is carrying a knock, and both Bob Bailey and George Davis are showing signs of wear and tear. Since they all back each other up at 3B and SS, two of the three are going to forced into action: today, it’s Davis and Bailey.

Will Clark‘s 19th homerun of the year put Miami up 3-0 in the bottom of the first. And that was it through 5 innings. Si Johnson had settled down after Clark’s blast, and Miami’s starter, Rube Waddell had yet to give up a hit.

Geoff Jenkins broke up the no-no with a single to lead off the 6th for Detroit, and singles from Bailey and Hank Greenberg put the Wolverines on the board.

In the bottom of the frame, Johnson issued a walk to load the bases, bringing in Mickey Lolich, who promptly forced in a run with a walk to Carlos Morán, increasing Miami’s lead to 4-1.

Waddell got one out on the 7th, but a hit from Davis and a walk to Robby Thompson turned the game over the Cuban Giants’ bullpen. Phenomenal Smith whiffed Jenkins, but immediately grabbed his left shoulder, and had to leave the game.

José Méndez replaced Smith, and shut down Detroit. He gave up a hit in the 9th, giving way to Ed Bauta, who completed the victory, giving Miami a surprising 2-0 lead in the series.

DET 1 (Johnson 4-7) @ MCG 4 (Waddell 4-6; Bauta 1 Sv; Smith 4 H; Méndez 2 H)
HRs: Det – none; MCG – Clark (19).
Box Score

Game 3: Hal Newhouser @ Eustaquio Pedroso

The matchup certainly favors the Wolverines to get back into the series, with Hal Newhouser and his sub-3.00 ERA going against Eustaquio Pedroso, who is in real danger of losing his rotation spot.

And, you know, just because … Pedroso gets through the top of the first without damage, and Newhouser walks Pete Runnels, Minnie Miñoso, and Gary Sheffield to start the bottom of the frame. But José Canseco whiffed and Ryan Braun grounded into a double play, so we stay scoreless.

Geoff Jenkins took Pedroso deep for a 1-0 Detroit lead in the second, but Sheffield sent a Newhouser pitch in the 3rd deep into the night, putting Miami up 2-1.

Martín Dihigo was forced out of the game with a back injury in the 6th after a hard slide into second and Paul Molitor, who replaced him, scored on a single by Runnels. Miami loaded the bases again, but again Canseco and Braun failed to deliver, so we headed to the 6th with the Cuban Giants ahead, 3-1.

That was it for Pedroso, who had pitched gamely in one of his better outings of the year. His reliever, Braden Looper, gave up a leadoff double to Chili Davis, but escaped with only 1 run scoring, making it a 1 run game at 3-2.

Newhouser didn’t finish the 6th, but Justin Verlander escaped without giving up a run. Looper, on the other hand, gave up a double to Robby Thompson and a single to Bob Bailey to lead off the 7th. Looper was relieved by Chris Resop who gave up a single to Ty Cobb to tie the game at 3. An RBI double from Hank Greenberg and a sacrifice fly by Davis put the Wolverines up, 5-3.

Cobb took Aroldis Chapman deep in the top of the 9th, giving Mike Henneman the ball with a 3-run lead, 6-3. Which seemed plenty for the WBL’s save leader, but Canseco and Robin Yount each hit solo homeruns, closing it to 6-5. Alan Ashby‘s soft line was speared by Thompson, though, to end the game.

Cobb ended the day with 4 hits, 2 runs, and 2 RBI’s, raising his league-leading average to .351.

After the game, Dihigo was placed on the DL, with Tony Taylor being recalled.

DET 6 (Verlander 8-3; Henneman 28 Sv; Napier 6 H) @ MCG 5 (Looper 1-1; Resop 1 BSv)
HRs: DET – Jenkins (9), Cobb (16); MCG – Sheffield (6), Canseco (26), Yount (9).
Box Score

Game 4: Johnny Marcum @ Camilo Pascual

Before the game, Miami continued to get bad news from their medical staff as Phenomenal Smith–excellent in his early time with the Cuban Giants–will miss about a year with an elbow injury. That prompted the recall of Ricky Nolasco from AAA.

The pitching matchup of the series finale was the best of the four games, with Johnny Marcum (10-2, 3.38) taking on Camilo Pascual, Miami’s most consistent starter all season.

Detroit pushed across a run in the opening inning on a wild pitch, but Miami tied it up in the bottom of the second with Alan Ashby‘s 7th homerun of the year. The Wolverines regained the lead on a deep sacrifice fly from Hank Greenberg, scoring George Davis. But again Miami would reply in the next inning, tying the game on a triple from José Cardenal, scoring Will Clark. Cardenal would score on a single from Robin Yount, giving the Cuban Giants their first lead of the day, 3-2.

Each team would score a run on a sacrifice fly in the 5th, making it 4-3 in favor of Miami.

Marcum was the first starter to be chased from the game, giving way to Matt Anderson in the bottom of the 6th, but Anderson was able to close the door with runners on base, keeping the score 4-3.

José Méndez relieved Pascual in the top of the 8th and retired Cobb, Greenberg, and Oscar Gamble–no mean feat. Chili Davis led off the 9th against Méndez with a single, but Detroit was unable to bring him around, and Miami emerged with the victory and the very surprising series win.

DET 3 (Marcum 10-3) @ MCG 4 (Pascual 7-10; Méndez 1 Sv)
HRs: DET – none; MCG – Ashby (7).
Box Score

Series XXVII Preview: Detroit Wolverines @ Miami Cuban Giants

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On February 21, 2023

In Featured Series, Series Previews

Two teams going in two different directions: Detroit (who we saw in Series XXI and Series IV) and Miami (Series XXII and Series XI).

The Wolverines lead the Bill James Division by 1.5 games, and sit 14 games above .500, tied with Portland for the second best record in the WBL (behind Baltimore). Miami, on the other hand, is tied with Memphis for the worst record in the league, languishing at 22 games under .500.

#Detroit Wolverines

They’re just a solid team. Not best in the league at anything, but top 5 in almost everything, just lacking a bit of team speed. OF Ty Cobb not only leads the team, but the entire league, in batting at .351, and his OPS of .965 leads the Wolverines. But 1B Hank Greenberg is an equally important cog in their machine, slashing 306/372/586 and leading Detroit in RBIs (74). Greenberg is tied with OF Oscar Gamble for the team lead in HRs with 21, but Cobb (15), 3B Bob Bailey (16) and OF Chili Davis (17) are also all in double digits. SS George Davis at .694 is the only regular with an OPS under .700. Like I said, solid.

The rotation is led by Johnny Marcum, 10-2 with a 3.38 ERA, followed by two hurlers who did not start the year in their current roles: Hal Newhouser (7-3, 2.91) has been brilliant since his recall and Gene Conley (10-2, 3.27) was just too good to leave in the bullpen. Mike Henneman leads the WBL in saves with 27, and John Hiller has been quite effective getting the ball to him.

Solid.

#Miami Cuban Giants

José Canseco has been brilliant: leading the team in all 3 slash categories at 289/358/530 for an OPS just shy of .900 and a team-high 25 homeruns and 61 RBIs.

Beyond that … Gary Sheffield has shown some signs of life lately, and Will Clark is second on the team in both HR (17) and RBI (56). 2B Pete Runnels has done well since being picked up from Memphis, And … hey, have I mentioned José Canseco?

There are some other storylines here: how long can Martín Dihigo‘s defense–stunning as it is–preserve a roster spot for the eighteen year old who is slashing 169/210/208? Will Minnie Miñoso–the key acquisition over the all-star break for the Cuban Giants–get a chance to prove himself?

Camilo Pascual leads the staff in victories with 6, but also in losses with 10. Several pitchers have shown flashes of promise–Roenis Elías, Phenomenal Smith, José Méndez–but none have lasted. Closer Aroldis Chapman (18 saves and a 2.32 ERA) has been excellent, as has Ed Bauta (10 holds, 2.12 ERA).

And there’s always Canseco …

Projected Starters

Detroit listed first.

Gene Conley (10-2, 3.27) @ Roenis Elías (4-3, 4.97)
Si Johnson (4-6, 4.85) @ Rube Waddell (3-6, 4.20)
Hal Newhouser (7-3, 2.91) @ Eustaquio Pedroso (6-5, 5.73)
Johnny Marcum (10-2, 3.38) @ Camilo Pascual (6-10, 4.06)

Prediction

3-1 Detroit. It would be fun if Miami made it a series.

Series XXVI Best Games

By

On February 10, 2023

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

In Series XXVI, we’re going to look at a game that allowed some individual storylines to play out and then two series that featured a couple of great contests each.

Portland Sea Dogs @ New York Black Yankees, Game 2

The game itself isn’t so interesting: Portland exploded for 8 runs in the top of the 5th inning, blowing it open en route to an 11-5 victory. But some of the details may have some impact on the rest of the season:

  • Portland’s Hal Griggs, recalled for the start, was battered, giving up all 5 runs in 3 innings of work and seeing his MLB ERA balloon over 10. The challenge is that injuries are beginning to take their toll on the Sea Dogs’ staff, and with Pascual Pérez injured later in the game, maybe Griggs sticks around? Atlee Hammaker‘s scoreless 3 plus innings of relief put him in a position to get a look as a spot starter from here on out.
  • Kent Hrbek had 2 hits and drove in 3, and tied New York’s Babe Ruth for the WBL homerun lead with 30. Could Ruth be surpassed?
  • Rogers Hornsby has, despite hitting for good power, struggled since being acquired from Kansas City. But he’s turning it around, scoring twice and driving in 2 in this game, and edging his numbers up. New York’s Tommy Herr is in a similar position, but his 3-for-4 performance here is also part of a resurgence, having found some footing with his new team.
  • New York’s bullpen just continues to struggle, but today actually had some decent innings, especially 2 hitless frames from Goose Gossage.

POR 11 (Hammaker 2-1) @ NYY 5 (Hoyt 8-5)
HRs: POR – Murcer (16), Hrbek (30), Hornsby (6); NYY – none.
Box Score

Baltimore Black Sox @ Detroit Wolverines, Games 1 and 3

This series was a matchup of league heavyweights and 2 of the games lived up to the billing.

In the series opener, Mike Mussina was dominant for Baltimore … until he wasn’t, and then the Black Sox’ bullpen just collapsed, with Joe Beggs, Bob Miller, and Don Bessent combining to give up 5 runs in 1.1 innings, with Miller forced onto the DL with injury (a move that effectively ends the closer-by-committee for a while).

Detroit’s pitching wasn’t much better, but Si Johnson held it together for 5 plus, and Mike Henneman is quite a weapon in the bullpen, as the WBL leader in saves picked up his 26th of the season.

Detroit hit four homeruns in the game, with Bob Bailey‘s 3 run shot in the bottom of the 8th off Bessent being the deciding moment.

BAL 6 (Miller 3-2; Bessent 3 B Sv; Beggs 5 H) @ DET 8 (Lolich 1-1; Henneman 26 Sv)
HRs: BAL – Jacobson (6), Machado (3); DET – Greenberg (20), Jenkins (8), C. Davis (17), B. Bailey (16).
Box Score

Hal Newhouser would dominate in the 2nd game, leading Detroit to a 6-1 win. The most important note from that contest was Ned Garvin‘s injury, which turned out to be disastrous, sidelining the Brock Rutherford Award favorite for close to a year. But we’re here to talk about Game 3, which pitted each team’s current ace against each other–Baltimore’s Dennis Martínez and Detroit’s Johnny Marcum.

Both were excellent through 4, but Martínez lost the game in the 5th to the most unlikely of foes: Detroit’s light hitting utility infielder, Sparky Adams, took him deep for his first longball of the year, giving the Wolverines a 3-2 lead. Each team would add one more, but again it was Henneman closing the door, despite surrendering a run on an RBI double from Bobby Wallace.

A nice, taut game.

BAL 3 (Martínez 10-7) @ DET 4 (Marcum 10-2; Henneman 27 Sv; Hiller 11 H)
HRs: BAL – none; DET – Adams (1).
Box Score

FWIW, Baltimore did win the final game to avoid the sweep.

Miami Cuban Giants @ Houston Colt 45’s, Games 1 and 4

These teams split the series, but the more interesting games were the 2 victories by the Cuban Giants.

The story of game 1, at least early on, was missed opportunities. Miami’s 2-way OF/P Eustaquio Pedroso, gave up 9 baserunners in the first 4 innings, but the Colt 45’s managed only 1 run. Pedroso was tagged with a 3-run HR from Tony Gwynn in the 5th, but the score should have been much worse than 4-0.

Meanwhile, Houston’s Stephen Strasburg was magnificent, twirling a 3 hit shutout through 7. In the 8th, Robin Yount led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Alan Ashby, chasing Strasburg from the game with a still comfortable 4-1 lead.

You can tell what’s coming.

Houston’s closer, Billy Wagner came in and gave up a game-tying 3-run moon shot to José Canseco. Miami’s bullpen was excellent, with José Méndez, Ed Bauta, and Aroldis Chapman combining for 5.2 innings of 1-hit relief. Chapman was already gassed, so after he retired a batter, the Cuban Giants turned to Braden Looper as we headed to the 12th.

In the top of the frame, Houston’s Scott Erickson could not get the final out, giving up a walk and 2 hits, the last being a 2-run single from Chris Hoiles to give Miami a 2 run lead. Looper gave up 4 hits in the bottom of the 12th, all singles, but escaped with the victory when José Cardenal gunned down George Brett at the plate to end the game.

Houston ended the game with 13 runners left on base, to Miami’s 4. Offensive efficiency matters.

Thrilling.

MCG 6 (Looper 1-0) @ HOU 5 (Gregerson 0-1; Hoffman 6 H; Wagner 6 B Sv) [12 Innings]
HRS: MCG – Canseco (25); HOU – Gwynn (6).
Box Score

The series finale was somewhat similar. Here, though, both starters had excellent outings, with Miami’s Ramón Martinez and Houston’s Toad Ramsey essentially matching efforts, each surrendering only 2 runs.

When Jim Wynn took Braden Looper deep in the 8th for a 3-2 lead for Houston, the script seemed written: Mark Melancon has been a victory vulture all year, with a 9-2 record out of the bullpen. Again, though, Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner were unable to hold it–this time with more dire consequences, as both pitchers left with injuries (Wagner will only miss a few days, Hoffman is looking at a trip to the DL).

The late innings were highly tactical: Miami tied it because Carlos Morán, pinch hitting for Pete Runnels, scored from 1st on a José Canseco double.

Brad Lidge, who started the year as Houston’s closer and was just recently recalled from AAA, matched Miami’s Phenomenal Smith with great relief efforts (Lidge pitched 2 perfect frames, Smith allowed a single hit in 3.1 innings), but Houston turned to Dock Ellis, highly mediocre all year, in the 12th.

It didn’t work well: Gary Sheffield doubled and, after Ellis was able to get 2 outs, Alan Ashby singled him home for the lead. Alejandro Oms pinch ran for Ashby, and scored on a single from Ryan Braun for a 5-3 lead for the Cuban Giants.

Aroldis Chapman shut the door, cementing the series split for Miami.

Hoffman’s injury opened the door for Tug McGraw to be recalled from AAA for Houston.

MCG 5 (Smith 1-1; Chapman 18 Sv) @ HOU 3 (Ellis 0-5; Hoffman 1 B Sv)
HRs: MCG – Yount (8); HOU – Wynn (14)
Box Score

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