Tag: Hank Greenberg Page 2 of 7

Season Review: Detroit Wolverines

On January 3, 2024

89 - 65, .577 pct.
1st in Bill James Division, 3 games behind.
Lost to Baltimore in Whirled Series

Overall

Finishing runner up to the best team in the league made last year a success in Detroit, but it also leaves a bit of a sour taste: what did they need to get over that final hurdle, and how quickly is the window closing? That last is more of a concern for the Wolverines than most WBL teams with sparkplug Tony Phillips, C Ed Bailey, and SS George Davis all on the wrong side of 35.

On the other hand, none of their three top starters were in Detroit’s rotation at the start of the season (Hal Newhouser was at AAA, Gene Conley was in the bullpen, and Charlie Root was pitching for San Francisco), so a full season of them should help. And on the third hand, this is a team that did it with only two stars–Hank Greenberg and Ty Cobb–and, even if you add phenom Al Kaline to that group, could really use some additional high end offense.

What Went Right

Greenberg and Cobb, for sure. Both are young, Cobb won the batting title and hit for power with speed and Greenberg was on the fringes of the MVP discussion all season.

Kaline had an OPS nearing .950 over 34 games. So, that went very right, but is also not a proven commodity at this point.

Chili Davis, Oscar Gamble, and Bob Bailey all hit better than expected, combining for 68 homers and 242 RBI.

George Davis managed 2.7 WAR despite a .662 OPS–that’s how good he was with the glove at shortstop.

Tony Phillips was an ageless wonder, posting an OBP near .400 at the top of the lineup.

The catching trio–Ed Bailey, Bill Carrigan, and Ernie Lombardi–was effective, although as you would guess, finding enough at bats for them all was a challenge.

Once Newhouser, Conley, and Root settled in, this was as good a top 3 as there was last year. Conley led the trio–and the team–with 12 victories, but it was Newhouser who really provided consistent greatness on the mound for Detroit.

Mike Henneman tied for the league lead in saves with 38 and Chad Bradford and Buddy Napier were among the best in the business in bridging to the closer.

Hank Aguirre and Johnny Marcum were solid, especially once they moved to the back half of the rotation.

ALL STARS
3B Bob Bailey; 1B Hank Greenberg; RP Mike Henneman

What Went Wrong

Sparky Adams was never meant to be more than a utility infielder … but wow did he not hit well. It was only his defensive flexibility that kept him around over Robby Thompson–clearly a better option at 2B–and Jimmy Collins, who despite being great with the glove at 3B, barely hit more than Adams.

Tony Phillips was fragile, and it’s not clear, at 38, if he has any full seasons left in him.

Justin Verlander never really established himself despite a lot of opportunities. He wasn’t bad, for sure, as evidenced by his 10-4 record, but he wasn’t consistent and couldn’t hold a rotation spot.

Vernon “Whitey” Wilshere and Si Johnson were both downright bad as starters.

Transactions

March

1B Nate Colbert to Birmingham for P Ron Perranoski and 3B Billy Nash

Sure, whatever.

June

SS Donie Bush, 2B Jorge Orta, P Brandon League, OF Gene Martin & 2nd Round Pick to Indianapolis for C Ernie Lombardi

Unsure. Lombardi was OK for Detroit, and more will be asked of him, but that’s a lot to give up for a part-time catcher.

July

2B Charlie Gehringer, P Red Ehret, 3B Bill Sweeney & 4th Round Pick to San Francisco for P Charlie Root & P Chad Bradford

A clear win, even if Gehringer eventually finds his footing.

Looking Forward

SP

This should be solid, with an eventual combination of Hal Newhouser, Charlie Root, Gene Conley, Mickey Lolich, and Justin Verlander.

RP

It’s a strong trio now with Buddy Napier, Chad Bradford, and Mike Henneman, and Matt Anderson and Delin Betances offer some depth in the system.

C

Could be an area of need, but for now Bill Carrigan and Ernie Lombardi will see more of the time here, with the aging Ed Bailey being phased out.

1B

Hank Greenberg.

2B

Another area of need, unless Robby Thompson takes a major step forward.

3B

Bob Bailey looks good here, as did Olmedo Saénz in a brief audition.

SS

George Davis has this for now, but after that it’s not really clear: it’s possible Alfredo Griffin, Ray Chapman, or even Ed Brinkman develop; it’s possible they need to bring some more talent in.

LF

Oscar Gamble should have this for a while.

CF

Some mixture of Ty Cobb and Chili Davis, although each of them may be more suited to a corner OF spot. There is some talent behind them in Jody Gerut and Ron LeFlore.

RF

The Wolverines are banking a lot on Al Kaline‘s performance not being a mirage, although Geoff Jenkins will continue to push for more time as well.

The Rookie Draft

Rounds 1-4

The first round pick is pretty easy: with Joe Torre taken, the C talent is pretty thin, add in the fact that Bill Freehan is a franchise choice, and Detroit has–it hopes–its backstop of the future.

Another franchise pick, Frank Lary, was picked up in the 3rd round.

Rounds 5-8

With all of their exceptions still available, the Wolverines can cherry pick–of mediocre talent, but still. They can use depth across the board: every position, plus arms, so it truly is a “best player available” moment.

It started with another franchise selection, P Billy Hoeft and was followed in the 6th round by C Johnny Romano who is so much better than the other remaining talent behind the plate his selection felt pretty mandatory. They picked up P Logan Hensley in the 7th and OF Bob Fothergill in the 8th.

Rounds 9-12

IF Wander Franco (final exemption); OF Riley Greene; OF Kerry Carpenter; C Derek Norris.

10th round pick Riley Greene refused Detroit’s offer.

TWIWBL 51.7: The Awards – Mel Trench Award

By mknn

On November 3, 2023

In TWIWBL

This is far more clear cut than the Brock Rutherford Award. But we should still look at the contenders, just for the sake of completeness.

This list contains the top 5 in OPS, HR, RBI, RC/27, and WAR.

Name	Tm	HR	RBI	OPS	RC/27	WAR
Johnny Bench	IND	32	90	.951	8.0	6.0
Ron Blomberg	CLE	44	125	1.061	10.2	5.8
Eddie Collins	CAG	20	70	.922	8.6	6.5
Mike Epstein	HOM	24	79	.948	8.8	4.7
Hank Greenberg	DET	31	113	.969	8.3	3.9
Elrod Hendricks	HOD	41	94	.961	7.7	4.1
Kent Hrbek	POR	36	106	.921	7.5	4.1
Joe Jackson	CAG	31	102	1.000	9.5	5.7
Reggie Jackson	SFS	30	105	1.013	8.4	4.3
Mickey Mantle	NYY	27	85	.971	9.1	5.5
Stan Musial	KCM	25	98	.972	8.4	4.5
Doug Rader	LAA	18	134	.920	7.8	3.7
Frank Robinson	BAL	37	111	.921	7.3	4.3
Babe Ruth	NYY	48	136	1.091	10.8	8.1
Mike Trout	LAA	21	100	.889	7.7	6.0

Interestingly, the batting champion, Ty Cobb of Detroit, doesn’t make that list.

Offensively, it’s clearly between Ruth and Blomberg. Doug Rader had his supporters before Ruth overtook him in the last week of the season for the RBI lead.

Factor in defense and the rest of what goes into WAR and Blomberg suffers, but Ruth, basically, does not (and the trio of Collins, Bench, and Trout leap to the fore).

And, yeah, the arguments about second place could go on forever–Blomberg’s impossible offense v. Collins’ all-around excellence? Joe Jackson and Mickey Mantle’s under-appreciated contributions?

But the winner is pretty clear-cut: chalk one up for the Babe.

We’ll go with Ruth followed by Blomberg and Collins.

TWIWBL 51.4: The Awards – Silver Sticks

By mknn

On November 1, 2023

In TWIWBL

With no regard for defense, here are the best hitters at each position.

#C

Catching is hard. Only 5 full-time catchers qualified (plus Houston’s Craig Biggio, who only played a couple hundred innings behind the plate). And while Thurman Munson and Buster Posey had fantastic seasons, with OPS’ over .850, the top three are obvious

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Johnny Bench	IND	31	2	32	82	90	287	385	566	0	8.0
Curt Blefary	BAL	23	3	29	84	90	280	392	549	3	8.1
Elrod Hendricks	HOD	27	1	41	79	94	283	342	619	1	7.7

Blefary is clearly third best. Imma go with Bench here as the more dangerous offensive force despite Hendricks‘ edge in homeruns.

#1B

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Mike Epstein	HOM	22	0	24	80	79	316	420	528	0	8.8
Hank Greenberg	DET	45	4	31	93	113	317	374	595	1	8.3
Kent Hrbek	POR	36	0	36	91	106	297	365	556	0	7.5

You could spend a lot of time arguing about Epstein and Hrbek, but it wouldn’t change the fact that Greenberg was the best.

#2B

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Eddie Collins	CAG	28	4	20	106	70	315	409	513	61	8.6
Larry Gardner	BAL	26	5	12	84	72	318	393	471	16	6.8
Bobby Grich	LAA	42	5	12	77	76	288	378	476	12	6.7
Rogers Hornsby	KCM/POR	35	3	19	75	88	294	365	487	2	6.4

There is so little to separate Gardner, Grich, and Hornsby that I had to list all three of them. But they are all far, far behind the force of nature that is Eddie Collins.

#3B

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	WAR
Dick Allen	CAG	30	10	26	86	109	311	383	559	5	7.9
Bob Bailey	DET	22	3	21	76	70	277	364	462	5	6.1
Doug Rader	LAA	43	7	18	85	134	330	391	529	0	7.8

I like RBI’s too. Really, I do. And BA. But I’ll take Dick Allen over Doug Rader every day. I hadn’t realized how thin the pickings got at 3B after those two.

#SS

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Jim Fregosi	POR	32	3	17	78	61	300	373	472	16	6.1
Bobby Wallace	BAL	40	4	5	99	60	302	396	418	18	6.1
Robin Yount	MCG	30	5	14	24	68	276	314	454	16	5.0

The choice between Wallace and Fregosi is close, but Fregosi is slightly the better offensive player, even if Wallace is the better shortstop if you add defense into the equation.

#OF

The outfielders include all fulltime players with an OPS over .900 or with a runs created per 27 outs over 7.0.

#LF

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Rick Reichardt	HOM	23	8	27	83	98	301	378	531	1	7.2
Frank Robinson	BAL	17	2	37	101	111	302	383	539	2	7.3
Babe Ruth	NYY	35	3	48	127	136	312	427	663	14	10.8

The easiest choice of all …

#CF

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Pete Browning	HOD	34	4	26	82	82	331	370	591	38	8.4
Bobby Murcer	POR	29	8	24	95	87	314	388	542	11	8.2
Willie Mays	NYG	30	5	24	99	97	322	384	516	11	7.1
Reggie Smith	MEM	39	5	22	100	72	304	381	522	20	6.8
Mike Trout	LAA	27	6	21	102	100	321	390	498	37	7.7

Browning‘s year has to be discounted from the amount of time he missed, which really leaves this to Bobby Murcer.

#RF

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Ron Blomberg	CLE	39	0	44	110	127	336	412	649	0	10.2
Ty Cobb	DET	41	4	21	92	89	352	391	557	52	8.7
Joe Jackson	CAG	33	3	31	109	102	330	412	588	34	9.5
Reggie Jackson	SFS	29	1	30	75	105	317	424	589	23	8.4
Mickey Mantle	NYY	34	2	27	101	85	319	420	552	3	9.1
Stan Musial	KCM	49	4	25	94	98	329	395	577	6	8.4

The quality in RF rolls deep … Ron Blomberg takes this, with Joe Jackson very close behind. The deepest position in the league.

#DH

Name	Tm	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	RC/27
Gavvy Cravath	PHI/POR	36	3	27	86	85	310	385	560	5	7.9
Lou Gehrig	NYY	25	4	27	74	79	275	379	526	3	7.1
Frank Thomas	CAG	33	3	25	93	105	297	405	505	3	7.4

Gavvy Cravath spent a lot of time in RF, both with Philadelphia and Portland, but we’re still going to count him here, where he edges out both Thomas, who slumped late in the season, and Gehrig, who got red-hot as the Black Yankees failed in their attempt to make the playoffs.

#The Silver Sticks

C: Johnny Bench (IND)
1B: Hank Greenberg (DET)
2B: Eddie Collins (CAG)
3B: Dick Allen (CAG)
SS: Jim Fregosi (POR)
LF: Babe Ruth (NYY)
CF: Bobby Murcer (POR)
RF: Ron Blomberg (CLE)
DH: Gavvy Cravath (PHI/POR)

TWIWBL 50.7: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game VII – October 11th

By mknn

On October 19, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

And it all, as they say, comes down to this …

#Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game 7

Detroit will turn to Gene Conley, although they’ll have him on a short leash. Conley is a great story in the season: in mid June, Conley was 7-1 with an ERA just under 4.00, having made 28 relief appearances. At that point, he was moved into the starting rotation, going 5-5, but finishing the year with a 3.28 ERA, which would have placed him 2nd in the league if he had thrown 8 more innings. His postseason starts have been up and down: two starts of 7 scoreless innings, two others where he was hit hard.

Baltimore has a clearer choice: Bill Byrd was 14-3 with a 3.33 ERA in the regular season and 3-1 since the playoffs started, although his most recent outings have been a little rougher.

Hank Greenberg opened the scoring with a solo shot in the top of the second, and Byrd and Conley were excellent throughout. Bryce Harper sent a pitch from Conley deep in the 5th to tie the game. After one out, a walk to Manny Machado and a single by Paul Blair chased Conley. But Johnny Marcum was able to get out of the inning, meaning Detroit was now in the bullpen dance from here on out.

Byrd gave up a hit to Bob Bailey to leadoff the 6th but whiffed Ty Cobb and induced a fielders choice groundout from Greenberg. But another walk, this one to Oscar Gamble, brought in Connie Johnson from the bullpen. Chili Davis lifted a bloop into left that dropped between Machado, Bobby Wallace, and Frank Robinson for the cheapest of hits. It was effective enough: Greenberg scored for a 2-1 lead for the Wolverines.

Robinson may have felt at fault: he launched a pitch from Marcum into the night to start off the Baltimore half of the 6th, tying the game at 2. Detroit’s bullpen struggled immediately: Chad Bradford gave up a double to Harper scoring Blefary, and walked Ken Singleton. He got out of the inning without further damage and Baltimore having reclaimed the lead, 3-2.

Detroit decided the 7th was the inning to go for it: Ed Bailey walked and Bill Carrigan was sent in as a pinch runner with Geoff Jenkins heading to the plate to hit for George Davis. Jenkins whiffed, Carrigan was caught trying to steal second and, after a Tony Phillips single, Bob Bailey grounded out to third for the final out.

Baltimore has refused to use a traditional closer throughout the season, and today they turned to Buddy Groom–the closest they’ve come–in the 8th, maximizing the number of lefties he’ll face. It worked: Groom retired Cobb, Greenberg, and Gamble without incident.

Detroit was far less fortunate in the bottom of the 8th, as Baltimore plated 3 insurance runs on RBI singles from Machado, Wallace, and Gardner. That made it 6-2 Baltimore, with only 3 outs between them and the Whirled Series trophy.

Joe Beggs came on to seal the deal, and seal it he did: the Baltimore Black Sox win the inaugural Whirled Series, taking game seven at home, 6-2. Harper had 3 hits and drove in 2 for Baltimore.

DET 2 (Marcum 0-1) @ BAL 6 (Johnson 3-0; Miller 2 H; Groom 3 H)
HRs: DET – Greenberg (5); BAL – Harper (4), Robinson (5).
Box Score

Larry Gardner took home the MVP trophy–a reasonable choice as the Black Sox’ 2B slashed 400/406/500 with 7 RBI’s. Paul Blair–PAUL freaking BLAIR–who hit 381/458/619 would have been a reasonable choice as well.

TWIWBL 50.6: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game VI – October 10th

By mknn

On October 18, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

And here we are, a Baltimore victory away from crowning the first WBL champion.

#Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game 6

Both teams are a little betwixt and between with their rotations. Detroit will send out Charlie Root, hoping they get the chance to benefit from an extra day’s rest for Gene Conley while the Black Sox will counter with Johnny Sain. Sain, Mike Mussina, and Jim Palmer have each at different times held down the number four slot; Sain seems to be the strongest at the moment.

Detroit clearly knows what’s at stake: Tony Phillips led off the game with a homerun and Hank Greenberg added a 2 run shot for an early 3-0 lead and lots of second guessing for the Black Sox’s choice of starting pitcher.

Baltimore got one back right away: Bobby Wallace doubled and consecutive sacrifice flies brought him home.

Sain only lasted 3 innings, departing having given up 5 hits and 4 runs. Palmer was magnificent in relief: 3 scoreless innings, 1 hit, and 5 strikeouts.

Frank Robinson singled and Curt Blefary walked to start the 6th, chasing Root and bringing the home crowd to its feet. Justin Verlander fanned Dan McGann and Bryce Harper, but walked Ken Singleton to load the bases. Up stepped Manny Machado, who reprised his role as playoff hero with a grand slam into the left field bleachers. Baltimore was now up, 5-4.

Bob Miller retired Detroit in order in the 7th.

The 8th was much more difficult: Gregg Olsen gave up 2 singles and a walk to load the bases with one out, bringing in Don Bessent to face Al Kaline … who promptly tripled, swinging the score back in favor of the Wolverines. Kaline would score on a sacrifice fly from George Davis, putting Detroit up 8-5.

Matt Anderson retired Baltimore in order in the 8th.

Mike Henneman did his usual thing in the 9th: one out, then a walk and a single to make it interesting, bringing up Robinson as the tying run. Robinson singled to load the bases, but Henneman struck out Blefary. Two outs, with McGann up … and then Henneman uncorked a wild pitch making it 8-6. Eventually, Henneman came through as McGann flew out to center, ending the game and giving us a game 7.

Gardner and Robinson had 3 hits for Baltimore; Cobb had 3 for Detroit.

The drama was fantastic: the much-maligned Machado’s grand slam, and then the hot rookie Kaline’s triple.

DET 8 (Verlander 1-0, 1 B Sv; Henneman 3 Sv; Anderson 3 H) @ BAL 6 (Olson 0-1; Bessent 1 B Sv; Miller 1 H)
HRs: DET – Phillips (1), Greenberg (4); BAL – Machado (3).
Box Score

TWIWBL 50.5: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game V – October 8th

By mknn

On October 17, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

A nice recovery by Baltimore means we are, essentially, in a best-of-3 situation.

#Baltimore Black Sox v Detroit Wolverines, Game 5

We see a rematch from the opening game of the series: Hal Newhouser for Detroit and Dennis Martínez for Baltimore. The Black Sox, of course, are hoping for a different performance from El Presidente, while the Wolverines would be thrilled to see Newhouser continue his playoff dominance.

Newhouser cracked first, allowing a three run homerun to Dan McGann in the top of the 4th. Ty Cobb got one back in the bottom of the inning, but that’s where the score stayed.

Newhouser lasted 6 innings. His replacement, Chad Bradford was not as effective, giving up a leadoff single to Baby Doll Jacobson and then back to back 2 out doubles to Paul Blair and Bobby Wallace. That made the score 5-1, Baltimore heading to the bottom of the 7th.

A leadoff double from Hank Greenberg chased Martínez in favor of John Wetteland who promptly launched a 2 run homerun making it 5-3. Cobb started off the bottom of the 9th with a hard grounder to short that Wallace mishandled for an error, bringing the tying run to the plate. Cobb made it to third, but no further as Buddy Groom earned the save and put the Black Sox within one win of the championship.

BAL 5 (Martínez 2-1; Groom 5 Sv; Beggs 3 H) @ DET 3 (Newhouser 3-1)
HRs: BAL – McGann (5); DET – Cobb (1).
Box Score

TWIWBL 50.4: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game IV – October 7th

By mknn

On October 16, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

This is such a critical game: either Detroit takes a commanding 3-1 lead, or Baltimore roars back to setup a best two out of three finish.

#Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game IV

Detroit will ask red-hot lefty Hank Aguirre to cement their lead in the series while Baltimore will counter with Connie Johnson. With Ed Bailey struggling a little, Detroit moves Bill Carrigan behind the plate, while Baltimore’s Bryce Harper gets his usual rest facing a lefty with Baby Doll Jacobsen taking his place in rightfield.

Detroit opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Hank Greenberg doubled home Bob Bailey. But Jacobsen repaid his manager’s faith in him, driving home two with a triple in the top of the second. Jacobsen would trot home on a long fly ball to center by Manny Machado, making it 3-1 Baltimore.

Aguirre struggled, and a two-out hit by Dan McGann in the third chased him from the game with Mickey Lolich being summoned from the bullpen for a potentially long relief outing.

Bob Bailey cut Baltimore’s lead in half in the 3rd with his fifth homerun of the postseason, making it 4-2, and then Carrigan took Johnson deep in the 5th, cutting it to 4-3. Johnson seemed shook, walking the next three batters. That brought in Mike Mussina to face Ty Cobb with the bases loaded and no outs. Mussina answered emphatically, striking out Cobb, getting Greenberg to pop out, and retiring Oscar Gamble on a lazy fly to left.

Baltimore added to their lead in the 7th on consecutive doubles by Bobby Wallace and Larry Gardner and an RBI single from Ken Singleton.

That meant we headed eventually to the bottom of the 9th with the Black Sox ahead, 6-3. With one out, Al Kaline singled and Carrigan followed with a double, bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins. Jenkins flew out, Tony Phillips grounded out, and that was that: the Whirled Series was now tied at 2 games apiece.

Both Lolich and Mussina were excellent in relief, with each pitching 3 innings without allowing a hit.

BAL 6 (Mussina 1-2; Beggs 2 Sv; Groom 2 H) @ DET 3 (Aguirre 1-2)
HRs: BAL – none; DET – B. Bailey (5); Carrigan (1).
Box Score

TWIWBL 50.3: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game III – October 6th

By mknn

On October 12, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

As the series shifts to Detroit, Baltimore was down 3 games to 1 against Portland in the Division Series, so they know they can come back. But they need to be better in all phases: they need to score more than 2 runs a game, they need to allow fewer than 7, and they need to do so immediately.

#Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game III

Bill Byrd will take the mound for Baltimore in what is essentially a must-win game, while Detroit will turn to Gene Conley.

Baltimore scored first on an RBI single by Manny Machado and then a bases-loaded, 2 out double from Larry Gardner. Frank Robinson followed with a 2-run homerun and suddenly Baltimore had rediscovered its offense, leading 6-0. Conley didn’t make it out of the 3rd, when a Ken Singleton bloop increased the lead to 7-0. Singleton would add a 2-run shot in the 5th, extending the lead to 10-2.

Byrd was effective, but not great, giving up a solo shot to Al Kaline in the 3rd and RBI singles to Hank Greenberg and Tony Phillips in the 4th and 5th, and a solo shot to Oscar Gamble in the 6th. A solo shot by Paul Blair provided the final margin, as Baltimore strolled to an 11-4 victory, marking the third straight win for the visiting team.

Blair had 3 hits and Gardner drove in 4 for Baltimore.

BAL 11 (Byrd 3-1; Palmer 1 Sv) @ DET 4 (Conley 2-2)
HRs: BAL – Robinson (4), Singleton (3), Blair (2); DET – Kaline (3), Gamble (3).
Box Score

TWIWBL 50.2: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game II – October 4th

By mknn

On October 11, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

Detroit leads 1-0 after a convincing victory in the opening game.

#Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game II

With Mike Mussina having thrown an effective 2 innings in game one, Baltimore will turn to Johnny Sain in the second game of the series, giving the 30 year old righty his first postseason start. Detroit will counter with Charlie Root, and will give Geoff Jenkins a start at DH, with Al Kaline likely the first bat off the bench for the Wolverines.

The Black Sox wasted no time in taking their first lead of the series, with Bobby Wallace leading off the bottom of the first with a double and scoring on a single from Larry Gardner. The 1-0 lead lasted until the fifth, when Sain surrendered only his second hit of the day, a homerun to Oscar Gamble to tie the game.

Two walks in the 6th brought in Jim Palmer in relief of Sain. Palmer whiffed Hank Greenberg, but gave up RBI singles to Gamble and Chili Davis, and then Paul Blair dropped the ball on a difficult catch for an error. At the end of it, the score was 4-1 in favor of Detroit.

Palmer gave up a 2-run homerun to Bob Bailey in the top of the 7th, making it 6-1. A solo shot from Dan McGann and a single by Bryce Harper chased Root in the bottom of the inning, but Buddy Napier was able to get out of a bit of a jam–two on with no outs–without allowing another run, taking us to the 8th inning with the Wolverines up, 6-2.

Kaline registered his displeasure at being benched by launching a pinch-hit homerun in the 8th with a runner on base, providing the final score of 8-2, and giving Detroit a 2-0 edge in the series.

Both teams had 8 hits in the contest, but Detroit made the most of their opportunities, hit 3 homers, and the 5 walks surrendered by Sain didn’t help.

DET 8 (Root 3-0) @ BAL 2 (Sain 0-1)
HRs: DET – Gamble (2), B. Bailey (4), Kaline (2); BAL – McGann (4).
Box Score

TWIWBL 50.1: THE WHIRLED SERIES! Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game I – October 3rd

By mknn

On October 10, 2023

In 2000 Playoffs, 2000 Whirled Series, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

And away we go!

#Detroit Wolverines v Baltimore Black Sox, Game I

Hal Newhouser, 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in the postseason, gets the ball for Detroit with Dennis Martínez taking the mound for Baltimore. El Presidente has only 1 post season win, but has pitched well across his 3 starts, as his 2.55 ERA will attest.

Sometimes it feels like Detroit almost has a script for their opening innings: Tony Phillips walks, Bob Bailey bunts him to second, and Ty Cobb singles him home. Which is exactly how they opened the ballgame. A walk to Hank Greenberg and a soft single by Oscar Gamble loaded the bases for the Wolverines, but Baltimore turned a nifty 4-2-3 double play on a hard hit ball from Chili Davis to end the inning.

Phillips led off the 3rd with a single, but this time Bailey’s bunt was poor and Martínez whirled to catch the lead runner at second. Cobb singled and a 2-out error by Larry Gardner loaded the bases with 2 outs, bringing up Chili Davis again with the bases loaded. This time, he hit the ball far more weakly, and far more effectively, beating out an infield single that scored the Wolverines’ second run. Ed Bailey would single home 2, putting Detroit on top, 4-0.

Martínez recovered well, allowing only the single earned run through 5 innings. Meanwhile, Newhouser was absolutely dominant allowing only 1 hit (a Gardner double) and fanning 6 into the 5th. Back-to-back walks to Bryce Harper and Ken Singleton gave Baltimore their first real threat. Manny Machado blooped a single to right to load the bases, and Newhouser walked Paul Blair, putting Baltimore on the board and raising activity in the Wolverines’ bullpen. Newhouser struck out Bobby Wallace and got Gardner to groundout, ending the threat and leaving the score 4-1, Detroit.

Mike Mussina relieved Martínez and got 2 quick outs, but then surrendered 3 consecutive singles to George Davis, Phillips, and Bob Bailey, the last of which scored another run. The 5-1 lead gave Detroit some room to maneuver, and they brought in the struggling Johnny Marcum in relief, who promptly struggled, loading the bases with 1 out, but did not surrender a run.

Detroit added 2 in the top of the 9th, and Baltimore went gently in their half, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 leas in the series.

Cobb had 3 hits for Detroit and Chili Davis and Ed Bailey each drove in 2.

DET 7 (Newhouser 3-0) @ BAL 1 (Martínez 1-1)
HRs: None
Box Score