The Whirled League

Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Homestead Grays Page 2 of 8

TWIWBL 65.5: Effa Manley Division

By

On August 30, 2024

In TWIWBL

TeamW/LPctGB
Homestead Grays26-19.578—
Brooklyn Royal Giants24-19.5581
New York Gothams23-22.5113
Ottawa Mounties22-22.5003.5
Philadelphia Stars21-24.4675
Effa Manley Division | 21 May

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

What a comeback! Led by 2 homeruns from Roy White (one of which tied the game in the bottom of the 9th), Brooklyn beat Homestead in 12 innings on a walkoff homer from Duke Snider. White had 4 hits and drove in 6 on the day.

#Homestead Grays

Rick Reichardt and Honus Wagner had 4 hits each, with Reichardt tying the WBL record with 3 homeruns and Wagner pounding out 3 doubles as the Grays beat Philadelphia, 12-5.

Chris Sabo hit 2 out, but the Grays fell to Brooklyn despite taking a 2 run lead to the bottom of the 9th, Josh Lindblom–solid all year to date–imploded, and took his first loss of the season, dropping his record to 3-1.

Corey Kluber will be out over a year with a partially torn UCL. At 33, and having struggle than success in his WBL career, it’s not clear he’ll make it all the way back.

The Grays’ bullpen struggles continue … Willie Stargell hit 2 homeruns, but the bullpen collapsed as Homestead fell to Brooklyn, 10-9 in 12 innings.

#New York Gothams

Trying to change their luck, the Gothams have decided to send C Wes Westrum, OFs Carl Furillo and Jimmy Sheckard, and IF Eugenio Suárez to AAA. None of the four had managed an OPS over .600, but any of them may be back very quickly if they can sort out their swings in the minors. C Dick Dietz, IF Terry Turner, and OFs Jo-Jo Moore and Steve Kemp were recalled.

Johnny Callison was 4-for-4 with 2 homeruns and 2 doubles and Gaylord Perry carried a 4-hit shutout until the final out of the game–he gave up back to back dingers, but still got the win in a 5-2 victory over Ottawa.

#Ottawa Mounties

Larry Walker hit 3 homeruns, moving him into sole possession of the league lead with 23, and Roberto Alomar added 4 hits as the Mounties beat the House of David, 9-7. Roy Halladay improved to 6-2 on the year and Ottawa survived shaky outings from the bullpen to preserve the victory.

Ottawa has reached a breaking point: Randy Johnson‘s talent and slider are there for all to see, but his lack of command is on display each time he takes the mound as well. His latest outing–9 earned runs and 6 walks in under 4 innings–cost him his spot in the starting rotation, and word is the team is on the verge of returning him to AAA. For now, though, it’s the bullpen, with Johnny Podgajny taking his rotation spot.

Álex Rodríguez continues to frustrate with potential: he hit 3 homeruns in a 13-8 win over the House of David, but that effort only raised his average to .189. Gary Carter, Tim Raines, Adrián Beltré, Alomar, and Carlos Beltrán all went deep as well for the Mounties with Alomar pounding out 4 hits on the day.

And another one: this time, Beltrán hit 3 homeruns in an 8-4 win over the House of David. Sam Thompson and Beltré hit 2 each as Old Hoss Radbourn improved to 6-4 on the season.

Walker hit two more, ending the week with a league leading 26 homeruns, as Ottawa beat the Gothams 12-6. Walker drove in 5, and Rodríguez, Alomar, and Carter each went deep as well in support of a solid 8 innings from Podgajny.

#Philadelphia Stars

Sherm Lollar has lost the fulltime C job to Mike Scioscia, although Lollar remains on the WBL roster for now. José Ramírez was sent to AAA, a product of him not getting playing time and doing virtually nothing with the opportunities he did receive. César Hernández was recalled, sliding into the backup IF role for the Stars.

TWIWBL 64.5: Effa Manley Division

By

On August 8, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Two homeruns from Ron Cey helped bust a game wide open as the Royal Giants pummeled the House of David, 15-4. The win was costly for Brooklyn, as Jackie Robinson was forced to the DL with a sprained ankle. Veteran Frank Isbell was recalled from AAA.

Ray Dandridge went deep twice, but it wasn’t enough as the House of David prevailed over the Royal Giants 6-5 in 10 innings. Mike Piazza duplicated Dandridge’s feat, homering twice in a loss, as the House of David triumphed once more, 9-6.

#Homestead Grays

Mike Epstein went deep twice and Josh Gibson added a grandslam as the Grays built a big lead against the Colt 45’s and held on for a 15-10 victory. Gibson drove in 6 and Epstein scored 4 times and Bob Friend pitched barely well enough to even his record at 2-2.

Rick Reichardt went deep twice leading the Grays to a 9-6 win over the Gothams.

#New York Gothams

The Gothams made some changes on the mound, deciding that Rube Waddell and Don Sutton just allow far too many homeruns. Waddell was moved to AAA with Sutton being removed from the rotation. Tony Mullane was recalled to take Waddell’s spot.

The Gothams were more reluctant to pull the trigger on the other saide of the roster, but with the quartet of Jimmy Sheckard, Eugenio Suárez, Carl Furillo, and Wes Westrum all struggling mightily, their hand may be forced soon enough.

#Ottawa Mounties

Roberto Alomar homered twice, each shot giving Ottawa the lead after scores from Philadelphia and the Mounties edged the stars, 5-3. Old Hoss Radbourn had a good outing, improving his record to 5-3, and Clark Griffith earned his first save.

Larry Walker and Carlos Beltrán each went deep twice as the Mounties beat Philadelphia, 10-3. Walker did it again, going deep twice in support of another strong start from Bill Smith in a 6-1 victory over Houston. Walker now has 20 on the season, tying him for the league lead.

#Philadelphia Stars

Young Bill Gatewood was sent to AAA to work out his command with Fred Cambria being recalled. José Ramírez and Sherm Lollar retain their roster spots for now, but both may see their playing time reduced due to their offensive struggles.

TWIWBL 63.5: Effa Manley Division

By

On July 16, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Roy White went deep twice, but it wasn’t enough as the Royal Giants gave up a late lead and lost in 12 innings, 6-5, to the Gothams.

Frank Knauss became the league’s first 6 game winner with a 2 hit shutout, striking out 10 en route to a 2-0 victory over Ottawa. Solo homeruns from Duke Snider and Pedro Guerrero were all Knauss needed to move to 6-1 on the year.

#Homestead Grays

Daniel Hudson and Carlos Zambrano are both struggling mightily, but both hold their roster spots for now. It’s assumed that one will go down when Corey Kluber comes back from injury; it’s likely the other will follow shortly thereafter unless something turns around.

Francisco Liriano tossed a 2-hit shutout, leading the Grays to a 5-0 win over Kansas City. Liriano walked 4 and whiffed 8, and was helped along with homeruns from Mike Epstein and Willie Stargell.

Owen Wilson, struggling to regain his from from last season, will miss about a month and a half with a separated shoulder. OF Goose Goslin was recalled from AAA to take Wilson’s role as lefty OF off the bench.

Doug Drabek–perhaps the Grays’ best hurler in the early going–hit the DL with a sore wrist. Drabek should only miss a couple starts, but still. Brickyard Kennedy was recalled from AAA. Kennedy pitched well for Brooklyn last season in limited opportunities, but at 35, was released by the Royal Giants in February.

#New York Gothams

Brandon Crawford hit the shortest homerun of the day, but it was enough to give the Gothams a 6-5 walkoff victory in 12 innings over Brooklyn. In great news for the Gothams, Brian Wilson saw his first action of the year, giving up 1 hit and striking out 3 in 1.2 innings. The win went to Mike Norris, who improved to 2-0 with 2+ perfect innings.

Willie Mays went deep twice and Carl Furillo might have staved off his release with his first homerun of the year as the Gothams beat the House of David, 7-5.

Benny Kauff went deep twice, giving him 10 on the year, as the Gothams beat the House of David, 7-3.

#Ottawa Mounties

It was assumed that Ryan Dempster would lose his role as closer when Tom Henke returned. The surprise came when the Mounties moved Dempster to AAA, along with Dupee Shaw, as both Henke and Johnny Podgajny were recalled from their rehab assignments.

#Philadelphia Stars

Tim Belcher was sent to AAA with John Burkett being recalled as the Stars try to address their bullpen.

Joe Rogan tossed a complete game, 2-hit shutout as the Stars beat Birmingham, 7-0. He also drove in 2 while Art Fletcher and Willie Davis had 3 hits each, with Fletcher driving in 4.

Rogan was again the star, delivering a walkoff 2 run single to lead the Stars, who scored 6 runs over the final 3 innings, to a 7-6 victory over Birmingham. Ted Kluszewski went deep twice in the game and Burkett was excellent in his debut, delivering 2+ innings of 1 hit relief with the victory going to Ted Kennedy, now 2-1 on the year.

Scott Rolen went deep twice, but the Stars couldn’t hold a lead, falling to Homestead, 7-6.

TWIWBL 62.4: Effa Manley Division

By

On June 25, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Frank Isbell‘s struggles finally earned him a trip to AAA with the Royal Giants needing a starter. Frank Miller was recalled from AAA to make the start, and returned afterwards with, ultimately, Dan Brouthers taking Isbell’s roster spot.

2 homeruns from Jackie Robinson and a strong start from Orel Hershiser led Brooklyn over Philadelphia 6-1. Hershiser improved to 3-1, allowing 4 hits and 1 run over 8 innings.

#Homestead Grays

The Grays moved Carlos Zambrano–0-4 with an ERA over 9.00–into the bullpen, with Doug Drabek taking his spot in the rotation. Drabek has been excellent so far in a relief role, with a 2.45 ERA over 9 games.

#New York Gothams

The Gothams welcomed back closer Brian Wilson. They hadn’t really missed him, as Mike Norris and Robb Nen combined for 9 saves, but it does extend what might be the best bullpen in the league. Guy Hecker was returned to AAA.

Buster Posey and Johnny Callison hit monstrous homeruns, backing a 3 hit shutout from Carl Hubbell as the Gothams topped the Monarchs, 7-0. Posey had 3 hits and Hubbell improved to 4-2 with the win.

Callison had another 2 homeruns, but the Gothams gave up an 8-3 lead before losing to Ottawa, 9-8.

#Ottawa Mounties

Larry Walker went deep twice and Bill Smith excelled in a spot start as the Mounties topped Houston 6-3.

Cannonball Sam Thompson homered twice leading the Mounties to a come from behind, 9-8 win over the Gothams. Mike Dorgan had 3 hits and 5 relievers (Smith, Dave Gregg, BJ Ryan, Clark Griffith, and Ryan Dempster) combined to allow only 1 hit in over 5 innings of relief of a terribly ineffective Roy Halladay. Smith got the win, strengthening his case to be moved into a full time rotation spot for Ottawa.

#Philadelphia Stars

Scott Rolen went deep twice as the Stars triumphed over Brooklyn, 8-5. Hardie Henderson won his 5th game of the year with 6 decent innings and 5 Stars hurlers combined to close out the victory.

TWIWBL 61.4: Effa Manley Division

By

On June 13, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Terry Forster began a rehab assignment, with an eye towards returning to the active roster later this week.

Ray Dandridge‘s offensive struggles have accelerated Germany Smith‘s return to full time status, with Smith taking over at SS. Dandridge will still see a lot of playing time around the diamond, but he–along with Frank Isbell–are in danger of (not) hitting themselves right out of the league.

Juan Mateo will miss about 4 months of action, clearing space for Forster’s return.

#Homestead Grays

The Grays recalled Corey Kluber from his rehab assignment, sending the struggling Tim Lincecum to AAA.

#New York Gothams

Willie Mays had 4 hits and 3 RBIs and Pinky Higgins went deep twice as the Gothams beat the Mounties, 8-2. Don Sutton improved to 3-1 with 10 whiffs in 7 plus innings of work for New York.

Mays and Benny Kauff each went deep twice as the Gothams poured it on late for an 8-3 win over Philadelphia. Gaylord Perry improved to 2-3 with 7 solid innings of work.

#Ottawa Mounties

With Ryan Dempster‘s struggles, the return of closer Tom Henke after a year away can’t come soon enough. Henke should start a rehab assignment later this week, joining Johnny Podgajny in trying to make their way back to the active roster.

#Philadelphia Stars

With Dave Stieb seemingly massively overmatched, the Stars sent him to AAA, recalling Ray Collins from a rehab assignment. Collins will slot into the bullpen for a while, with Larry Jackson taking Stieb’s spot in the rotation.

Bullet Joe Rogan has been the best hitter for the Stars so far this season, and while he’ll move around a lot, it’s expected that he’ll be out there virtually every day from here on out.

Hardie Henderson continues his great start, combining with Brad Kilby, Tim Belcher, and Ted Kennedy on a 4 hit shutout in a 5-0 win over the House of David. Henderson improved to 4-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.64 on the day.

TWIWBL 60.4: Effa Manley Division

By

On June 3, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Germany Smith was recalled from his injury rehab, with Maury Wills heading to AAA. For now, Smith will split time at SS with Ray Dandridge, but his power my force his name onto the lineup sheet more often.

#Homestead Grays

Willie Stargell‘s 4th homerun was a walkoff job in the bottom of the 11th, giving the Grays a 3-2 win over Brooklyn. Bob Friend–long gone when Pops struck–pitched excellently for Homestead, striking out 10 in just over 6 innings.

#New York Gothams

Will Clark went deep twice and drove in 6 runs as the Gothams built an early lead and held on, topping the Black Barons 12-8. Buster Posey had 3 hits and Juan Marichal evened up his record at 1-1 with a good outing.

Johnny Callison (3 hits and 6 RBIs) and Pete Runnels (4 hits) had great days, but a very poor outing from Christy Mathewson led to an 11-8 defeat at the hands of the Grays.

#Ottawa Mounties

Gary Carter continued his scorching start with 2 homeruns, giving him 8 on the year. Carter had 3 hits and 3 RBIs and Tim Raines, Larry Walker, and Roberto Alomar also went deep in a 9-5 win over Birmingham. After Old Hoss Radbourn struggled a bit, Bob Brown, Atlee Hammaker, the newly recalled Bill Smith, and BJ Ryan combined to allow only one hit in almost 5 innings of relief.

Carlos Beltrán went deep twice, but it wasn’t enough as the Mounties fell to Birmingham, 12-10. Dupee Shaw was pounded in his first career start, giving up 5 homeruns (4 consecutive) and while Ottawa tied the game after that, despite a strong outing from Smith, the bullpen just couldn’t hold it together.

#Philadelphia Stars

The Stars recalled Aaron Judge from his rehab assignment, sending Harmon Killebrew to AAA for regular playing time. Judge’s first at bat resulted in his 2nd homerun of the season, a welcome sight for Stars fans. Ted Kluszewski and Art Fletcher drove in 2 in the come from behind win over Houston as Larry Jackson, Ted Kennedy, and Bob Howry allowed only 1 hit in 3.2 innings of relief for an ineffective Steve Carlton. Kluszewski tied the game in the 8th and Fletcher drove in the winning run in the 9th, with Kennedy getting the win and Howry his 3rd save of the year.

TWIWBL 59.4: Effa Manley Division

By

On May 20, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Homestead Grays

Josh Gibson launched a 538 ft. moon shot and Andrew McCutchen drove in 4 as the Grays topped Philadelphia 7-3. When Bob Friend had to leave with an apparent foot injury, the impressive rookie Doug Drabek threw 3 effective innings in relief to gain his first WBL victory.

#New York Gothams

The Gothams rode a strong start from Christy Mathewson and a long, long, long, long moonshot from Buster Posey to a 5-2 victory over the Stars. Posey’s 3rd homerun of the year was measured at 538 ft. Benny Kauff hit his 4th homer of the year, and Robb Nen picked up his 4th save.

George Van Haltren will miss about a month with a back issue, with the Gothams electing to summon veteran arm Guy Hecker from AAA.

#Ottawa Mounties

With Johnny Podgajny not looking to recover any time soon, the Mounties have placed the righthander on the DL. Bill Smith was recalled from AAA.

#Philadelphia Stars

This is what the Stars were hoping for: Bullet Joe Rogan allowed 2 runs in 7 innings of work and had 3 hits including his first homerun of the year, leading the Stars to a 5-3 win over Homestead.

After 130 pitches, Hardie Henderson needed some help to finish out a 3 hit shutout of the Grays. Henderson struck out 10 and Robin Roberts got the last out in a 9-0 win, supported by 3 hits from Rico Carty and homeruns from Scott Rolen and Harmon Killebrew.

TWIWBL 58.5: Effa Manley Division

By

On May 1, 2024

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

It was not good news for the Royal Giant as as Dave Von Ohlen, a bullpen stalwart for them last season, was diagnosed with a herniated disc and will miss about 3 months. Dutch Leonard was recalled.

In slightly better news, both Germany Smith and Trevor Hildenberger were sent to AAA on rehab assignments as they make their way back from their injuries.

Hildenberger was recalled as Terry Forster was placed on the 10 day DL.

#Homestead Grays

Chris Sabo hit a pinch-hit, walk-off 3-run homerun to lead the Grays to a wild 12-11 victory over Ottawa. Honus Wagner had 4 hits and Rick Reichardt and Andy Van Slyke 3 each in a game where the Grays pounded out 4 homeruns, with Willie Stargell, Reichardt, and Del Crandall joining Sabo.

Josh Gibson‘s first homerun of the season was a doozy: a grand slam to give the Grays another walk-off win over Ottawa, this one 8-5. Roberto Clemente had 3 hits and rookie Doug Drabek continued his strong start to the season with a couple 1-hit innings in relief.

#Ottawa Mounties

Old Hoss Radbourn started the Mounties’ season off strong, allowing only 2 hits and 1 run over 7 innings in a 10-1 drubbing of Philadelphia. Larry Walker drove in 4 and Bob Watson had 3 hits for Ottawa.

The Mounties pounded out 25 hits, scored 11 runs, and held leads in the 8th, 9th, and 10th innings. And, lost 12-11 in 10 innings to Homestead. Walker had 4 hits and Gary Carter drove in 3 in a game where Ottawa’s hurlers gave up 4 homeruns, including a walk-off shot.

Gary Peters will miss about a year with an elbow injury. Bob Brown was recalled from AAA, although for now at least it’s not clear who will take Peters’ spot in the rotation.

#Philadelphia Stars

The Stars may not win many games this year, but there is some talent on this team that should be fun to watch. To wit, OF Aaron Judge obliterated the record for the longest homerun in the history of the WBL, launching a pitch from Homestead’s Bob Friend 558 feet for his first dinger of the year.

Ray Collins lasted 2 innings in his debut before having to be removed with back spasms. Collins will be out a couple of weeks, and the Stars have once again turned to veteran Robin Roberts, giving the 33 year old what may be his final chance at the WBL. The next day, Judge went down with a strained muscle, and the Stars decided to continue to try to reinforce their mounds corps, recalling hard throwing Brad Kilby.

Year II Season Preview: Homestead Grays

By

On April 6, 2024

In Team News

Expectations

Progress. Finishing over .500 with some clarity on long-term talent would be a success for next year.

Best Case

The roster stabilizes, and a handful of talent establishes itself as the core of future years. Napolean Lajoie and Honus Wagner settle in at 2B and SS respectively, and the OF talent clarifies. And, anyone reliable steps forward on the mound. Anyone.

Worst Case

Nothing settles, nobody figures it out, and the pitching continues to be miserable.

Key Questions

  • Who pitches?
  • For a team without top end talent, there are a surprising number of logjams (Davey Johnson and Lajoie and even the ageless Jeff Kent at 2B; Rick Reichardt and Willie Stargell at LF; Roberto Clemente, Andy Van Slyke, and Owen “Don’t Call Me Chief” Wilson in RF).

Trade Bait

Will the team hit it stride in time for Stargell to contribute? If not, he could be an attractive piece for a competitive team.

Roster Evaluation

POSEliteStrongSolidMehWeakUnknown
CGibsonCrandall
1BEpstein
2BLajoie
3BSabo
SSWagnerSánchez
LF/
RF		ReichardtVan Slyke
Wilson		Clemente
Stargell
CFMcCutchen
SPLirianoFriendPierce
Brown
Zambrano		Kluber
EndLindblom
Ownbey		Jackson
RPDrabek
Giusti
Hudson
Lincecum
New Addition | Injured

So. Much. Talent. So little production. Even with that, though, the presence of anything approaching average pitching makes the Grays a .500 team.

Talent Ratings

WBLMinors
Raw PowerOF Willie Stargell3B Steve Hertz
Batting Eye1B Mike EpsteinOF Ralph Kiner
ContactOF Roberto ClementeOF Goose Goslin
Running SpeedOF Andy Van SlykeOF Sterling Marte
Base StealingIF Honus WagnerIF Bobby Wheelock
IF DefenseU Nap LajoieIF Rennie Stennett
OF DefenseOF Roberto ClementeOF Max Carey
StuffP Tim LincecumP Harry Kelley
ControlSP Bob FriendP Syl Johnson
VelocityRP Josh LindblomRP Mychal Givens

Best In The Minors

RankAgePOSName
1 (13)19PClayton Kershaw
2 (21)21PTim Lincecum
3 (39)183BJudy Johnson
4 (46)19OFRalph Kiner
5 (61)24PBartolo Colón
6 (64)20PPink Hawley
7 (79)23OFPaul Waner
8 (109)22PTrevor Cahill
9 (117)23PDaniel Hudson
10 (130)203BFreddie Lindstrom
Others: P Catfish Hunter; P Nip Winters, P Ping Gardner; P Carlos Pulido; P Chris Zachary; P Dave Giusti.

Hope for the Grays persists, largely in how dense and deep their system is. 16 prospects in the top 200 bodes well for their future.

MostLeast
AgeP Al Worthington, 383B Judy Johnson, 18
HeightP John Candelaria, 6’7″P Earl Hamilton, 5’8″
SS Bobby Wheelock, 5’8″
OF Paul Waner, 5’8″
1B Eric McNair, 5’8″
OPSOF Harvey Hendrick, 1.088 (—)IF Ken Harrelson, .432 (WBL)
HROF Starling Marte, 42 (—)
IF JJ Hardy, 42 (—)		C Peaches Graham, 0 (WBL/AAA)
SBCF Andrew McCutchen, 33 (WBL)Many with 0
WAROF Andy Van Slyke, 5.7 (WBL/AAA/AA)IF Ken Harrelson, -4.3 (WBL)
WFrank Arellanes, 15 (—)
Moose Haas, 15 (—)		Daniel Hudson, 3 (WBL/AAA/AA)
Earl Hamilton, 3 (WBL/AAA)
Doug Drabek 3 (—)
John Candelaria, 3 (WBL/AAA)
SVMychal Givens, 24 (WBL/AAA/AA)
ERACharles Nagy, 2.17 (—)John Candelaria, 6.84 (WBL/AAA)
WARCharles Nagy, 5.3 (—)John Candelaria, -1.1 (WBL/AAA)
Stats are across all levels. 200 PA / 75 IP min. Non WBL leagues indicated by —.

TWIWBL 56.10: Spring Training Notes – Homestead Grays

By

On February 27, 2024

In TWIWBL

Spring Training Questions

Up to nine spots on the mound are up for grabs, including 3 rotation slots. Positional depth needs to be resolved in the lineup. Second round draft pick Judy Johnson will be given every shot to seize the 3B job.

Injuries

Daniel Hudson has missed most of camp so far, but might be back to show enough to make the opening day roster.

First Cuts

With 28 pitchers starting off in camp, Homestead clearly had a lot of work to do, with many decisions destined to be made on very limited data. Here’s who didn’t make the cut after the first week of Spring Training: starters Pink Hawley, Clayton Kershaw, John Candelaria, and Hal Carlson and relievers Mychal Givens, Ed Seward, and Ricardo Rincón.

With that many arms still in camp, the Grays only moved one C, Tim Thompson, out of camp, along with 3B’s Freddie Lindstrom and Brock Holt. Judy Johnson is hitless so far, but has impressed the coaching staff enough to stick around a little more.

Impressive starts from Rey Sáncehz and Jack Wilson at SS have forced Dick Groat out of camp, while Rennie Stennett remains, largely on the bases of his performances towards the end of last season. Jeff Kent has also been impressive, although Davey Johnson remains the presumptive starter at 2B.

Paul Waner is tearing the cover off the ball, but his brother Lloyd is hitless, meanings the siblings will be separated with Llyod heading back to the minors, along with CF Darren Lewis. That’s left a crowded OF still pretty clogged: Ralph Kiner has impressed with his power, Max Carey with his speed, and Goose Goslin is barely holding onto a spot. Of those three plus the remaining Waner, there looks to be–at most–a single roster spot available.

Second Cuts

Only 4 pitchers–Gary Lucas, Gary Nash, Ray Brown, and Bartolo Colón–have ERA’s over 2. Of those, Brown and Colón will be given some more time, but both Nash and Lucas were shipped off to the minors. That still leaves a ton of arms in camp, so something will have to give over the next week.

C Tim Thompson was shipped out. Rick Ferrell probably should be, but his defense and his WBL experience keeps him around for now.

18 year old Judy Johnson turned some heads with his defense, but needs some time in the minors. The Grays recalled Pedro Feliz for depth at 3B.

Goose Goslin and Max Carey were also sent down, although Carey was recalled a few days later, just to provide another glove in CF.

The Grays are in an interesting spot: a host of players who were assumed to not have much chance to make the team are performing fantastically, led by Ps Doug Drabek and Cliff Lee and position players Ed Kranepool, Paul Waner, Jeff Kent, Rey Sánchez, Chris Sabo, Cam Carreón, and Jack Wilson. This has created some unanticipated competition, keeping camp crowded but also making the next week quite crucial.

Third Cuts

Homestead continues to retool their pitching staff, with Bartolo Colón‘s poor Spring sending him to the minors along with Arodys Vizcaíno and Ping Gardner. Other than Francisco Liriano as their opening day starter and Josh Lindblom as their closer, though, nothing on the staff is settled.

The backup C slot continues to be challenging: Del Crandall has been spectacular, but doesn’t offer much defensively. Cam Carreón was demoted, but Peaches Graham and Rick Ferrell remain in the mix with Crnadall behind Josh Gibson.

Pedro Feliz, Max Carey, and Ralph Kiner were all sent down as well. That still leaves 1B and the OF overcrowded, and the Grays’ obsession with Rennie Stennett needs to probably come to an end. Owen Wilson and Davey Johnson–both essentially guaranteed roster spots due to their performance last year–are struggling mightily while Ed Kranepool, Rey Sánchez, and Jeff Kent are all tearing the cover off the ball.

Final Cuts

Needing to thin out the competition for the backup C role, Peaches Graham is the first to head down to the minors, followed by Rennie Stennett and Jack Wilson as the Grays tried to figure out their infield.

Cliff Lee‘s demotion to AAA was Homestead’s first step towards clarifying their staff for opening day. But that was as far as they got in the drive to cut to 30, as Del Crandall‘s Spring performance sent Rick Ferrell down, and two players with excellent Springs–Paul Waner and Ed Kranepool–were also sent down to receive steady ABs at AAA.

Babe Adams and the impressive teenager Catfish Hunter were both sent to the minors along with Jeff Kent, who had an excellent Spring but at 37 is not part of the Grays’ plans.

Earl Hamilton was the final cut from the pitching staff, leaving the Grays with a nasty set of choices. In the end, it came down to prized prospect Napolean Lajoie, incumbent 2B Davey Johnson, of OF sub extraordinaire Owen Wilson. The Grays, in a move met with much skepticism, decided to hand the 2B position to Lajoie, sending Johnson to AAA.

Page 2 of 8

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén