The Whirled League

Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: John Ellis

Previewing Series VII: Ottawa Mounties @ Cleveland Spiders

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On June 9, 2021

In Series Previews

Ottawa heads to Cleveland for four games sitting in 4th place in the Cum Posey division with a 10-16 record. Cleveland is only a game better at 11-15 in the Effa Manley Division, making this a series of evenly-matched mediocrity. Cleveland has struggled to score runs, while the Mounties have just struggled.

The expected pitching matchups are (Ottawa hurler first) Roy Halladay (0-2, 5.34 ERA) v. Cy Young (1-2, 3.35 ERA); Randy Johnson (1-3, 7.27) v. Whit Wyatt (1-0, 1.74); Bob Brown (0-1, 4.91) v. Pat Malone (2-1, 4.55); and Old Hoss Radbourn (1-2, 5.40) v. Bill Steen (1-0, 2.30).

Some of the storylines appear right there: at what point do the Mounties give up–for the time being–on the immense talent contained in Johnson’s tall frame? Can Steen and, especially, Wyatt, continue to be essentially unhittable? (You could add Young to that, who has a 1.23 ERA over his last 14 innings.)

If Ottawa can get that far, closer Tom Henke has been lights-out, allowing only 3 hits in 10 IP so far, leading to 7 saves. Relievers Ted Bowsfield and Gary Lavelle each have streaks of 4 scoreless appearances, so there has been some improvement there.

Cleveland is led by Ron Blomberg (302/396/558) and John Ellis (255/321/608), and come into the series having just shuffled quite a bit of their lineup, instituting Sammy Strang into a platoon at 3B with Evan Longoria and Peanuts Lowery and Rowland Office into one in LF (Lowery was recalled when Office went down with an injury, and has hit well enough to stay). The key for the Spiders is if either Larry Doby (163/278/286) or Louis Santop (222/300/333) can get some offense going.

Ottawa’s offense has been effective at times, mostly when Larry Walker (345/406/690) has been healthy and Tim Raines (298/407/462; 12 SB) has been loose on the basepaths. Things fall off dramatically after those two, and the Mounties need better production throughout their lineup, but more from either Alex Rodriguez (207/250/322) or Ken Griffey, Jr. (205/253/217) would be especially welcome. Griffey has been especially miserable, managing only a .368 OPS over his last 10 games.

Ottawa’s Carlos Delgado has homered in 3 consecutive games.

TWIWBL 6.3: Series V Notes – Effa Manley Division

By

On May 25, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

John Ellis went 3-for-4 with 2 HRs and a double in the final game of the Spiders‘ series with Birmingham, leading Cleveland to a 4-2 win and a 3-1 edge in the series.

Rowland Office came off the DL for Cleveland, but with Peanuts Lowery hitting 333/353/424, the Spiders had to look elsewhere to free up space on the roster. They turned to 3B where both Evan Longoria (153/254/271) and Ken Keltner (182/182/303) have struggled and Sammy Strang has only gotten 3 plate appearances. Strang will be given a real shot in platoon with Longoria, meaning Keltner will head down to AAA.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Virgil Trucks was demoted to AAA after the ABC’s 3 game series with Brooklyn, with Willie Mitchell joining the big league club. Rumors are Indianapolis also wanted Bronson Arroyo to spend some time in AAA, but the 31 year old veteran refused to head to the minors.

Joe Morgan will be out for another week or so, giving Lonny Frey a few more games to show he can handle WBL pitching (so far, he can’t, as he’s hitting at a 143/231/143 clip). With Dennis Menke slashing 321/406/500, Frey looks likely to head down to AAA when Morgan returns.

#New York Black Yankees

Dave Righetti threw one of the finer games of the year so far, a 3-hit shutout against the Homestead Grays. Righetti walked 3 and struck out 11 on his way to an 89 Game Score, improving his numbers on the year to 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA.

Not to be outdone, Ron Guidry improved to 3-1 on the season with his own 3-hit shutout against the Grays, striking out 10 in a 3-0 win. Guidry’s effort yielded an 88 Game Score, and his ERA dropped to 2.39.

In sweeping the four games from Homestead, the Black Yankees outscored the Grays 42 – 6.

#Philadelphia Stars

3B Al Smith hit a pinch-hit HR in the ninth inning against Portland‘s Johan Santana, who had been virtually unhittable up to that point. Buck Freeman hit his 3rd of the season in the 10th–also off Santana–giving the Stars a 3-2 win.

Ken Forsch‘s time in Philadelphia was short: two outings, 2 earned runs in just over an inning, and then back to AAA with Ted Kluszewski returning.

TWIWBL 4.1: Notes from Series III

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On September 30, 2020

In TWIWBL

The New York Black Yankees saw their 10 game winning streak come to an end in a 4-2 loss to the Wandering House of David. The Black Yankees are tied with the Kansas City Monarchs for the best record in the league at 11-3, with the Brooklyn Royal Giants the only other team with double-digit victories. Those 4 teams–New York, Wandering, Kansas City, and Brooklyn–each lead their divisions.

Two decent hitting streaks are still intact: Babe Ruth has a 14 game streak (see below for a dramatic extension by Ruth) and the Baltimore Black Sox‘s Dan McGann has hit safely in 13 straight games.

Philadelphia‘s Ray Collins and Brooklyn‘s Don Drysedale are the only 3 game winners in the league (both are 3-0), and Portland‘s Johan Santana leads the league with 6 saves.

Houston‘s George Brett hit .538 with 2 HR’s and 7 RBIs to win the WBL Player of the Week.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Orel Hershiser (1-0) gave up only 5 hits while striking out 8 in a complete game victory over Cleveland. Hershiser’s only mistake of the day was a 2-run HR to Evan Longoria as the Royal Giants eased to a 6-2 win.

#Cleveland Spiders

Cleveland has basically created a fast shuttle between their AAA affiliate in Buffalo and the big leagues. Just across these five games, here’s who used it:

  • With John Ellis no longer carrying an injury, the Spiders demoted Harry Bemis.
  • Jim Gantner was called up from AAA to provide some depth at 2B behind Chuck Knoblauch.
  • Whit Wyatt returned from the DL, sending Sudden Sam McDowell down.
  • Yordano Ventura was put on the IL even though the Spiders were, at the time, unsure as the extent of his injuries (turns out to have been fine, Ventura is out for 4 months with bone spurs).
  • With the OF totally gassed and lacking depth, Peanuts Lowrey was called up.

Not all news for Cleveland was injury related: Bob Feller moved to 2-0 with 8 shutout innings against Brooklyn in a 9-1 Spiders’ victory.

#Detroit Wolverines

Phenom Ty Cobb continues to press for more playing time, going 3-for-4 with a HR in a start against Kansas City.

#Homestead Grays

With Corey Kluber still injured, Homestead recalled Cliff Lee for an emergency start. Lee was excellent, leading the Grays to keep him on the roster at the expense of Bill Fischer, who had struggled in a few early season appearances.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Bret Saberhagen was still not 100%, so the Colt 45’s did some roster juggling, sending Saberhagen to AAA for a day and recalling David Clyde. Clyde was lit on fire in his start, and sent right back to AAA after the game.

Roy Oswalt (2-1) combined with Trevor Hoffman for a 6 hit shutout against Portland.

#Kansas City Monarchs

The Monarchs’ Luke Hamlin–of all people–threw the best start of the year so far, allowing only 1 hit over 7 innings against Detroit while striking out 11. Neither Frank DiPino nor Jeff Pfeffer allowed a hit in closing the game out for a 1-0 Kansas city win.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Ramon Martinez tied the best game score of the year with a 5-hit complete game shutout of Chicago that took only 94 pitches, earning his first victory of the year.

#New York Black Yankees

With a 12-game hitting streak on the line, Babe Ruth came to the plate as a pinch hitter with his team down 2 in the bottom of the 9th and a runner on first. Ruth deposited Tom Niedenfuer‘s pitch in the left field seats for his 4th HR of the year to tie the game, extending his streak to 13 (New York would lose the game 5-4 in 13 innings).

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Lefty Grove continued his dominant start to the year, pitching 8 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball while striking out 11 against Ottawa to go 2-0 on the season. Grove’s game score of 80 was the best in the league to date (later surpassed by Hamlin).

#Wandering House of David

OF Pete Browning continued his torrid start with a 4-for-4 game against the Black Yankees with a 2B, a 3B, and 2 RBIs to key a 13 inning HoD victory.

TWIWBL 2.1: Notes From The Opening 5 Games

By

On September 4, 2020

In TWIWBL

All 20 teams opened with 5 game series this week. Some notes from around the league.

First, the WBL Player of the Week went to Indianapolis’ Hal Morris, Morris did hit 450/476/1000 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs. Still, Lou Gehrig of the New York Black Yankees (538/600/1154, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs) and the Portland Sea Dog’s Buddy Bell (412/444/1059 with 3 HRs) had to deserve significant consideration as well.

#Birmingham Black Barons

SP Fred Fussell and DH Emil Frisk will both miss about a month with injuries to start the season, with Greg Maddux returning to the WBL to replace Fussell.

The Black Barons’ starter’s ERA of 11.84 is the biggest contributor to their 0-5 start to the season.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Dutch Leonard tossed a 5 hit shutout in his 1st start of the year, and teammates Don Drysdale and Brickyard Kennedy only allowed 1 run in their starts, leading the Royal Giants to a 4-1 start. Dickie Thon–handed the starting SS role despite not playing in Spring Training–hasn’t embarrassed himself, hitting .250 so far.

#Chicago American Giants

Ticky Nichols threw a 3 hit shutout on 111 pitches to start the season.

#Cleveland Spiders

With John Ellis out about a week, the Spiders sent Hardie Henderson to AAA and recalled Harry Bemis to spell Andy Etchebarren at C. Ellis is still on the active roster, but Detroit has a league-leading 7 players on the DL, but Whit Wyatt, Doug Corbett, and Bill Steen should all be back within about a week.

#Detroit Wolverines

OF Oscar Gamble was hot out of the gates, with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in the 1st 5 games. Hal Newhouser lasted less than 2 innings before his elbow gave out, sidelining him for a couple weeks. With Claude Passeau also injured, it’s not clear who will get Newhouser’s starts between Gene Conley, Johnny Marcum, and Justin Verlander.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Stan Musial is as hot as any player in the league, opening the season at a 455/500/773 clip. Jose Rijo fanned 10 in 8 IP in a strong 1st start.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Camilo Pascual only allowed 3 hits in 8.2 IP in a strong opening start for the Cuban Giants.

#New York Black Yankees

Eric Davis leads the league with 11 RBI. Both Willie Randolph and Mike Schmidt are still looking for the 1st hits on the season.

#New York Gothams

It’s been a rough 5 days to be a Gothams pitcher: Carl Hubbell is out for over a month, Carson Smith for a few weeks, and Al Mays will be out about a week. Mat Latos (freshly returned from the injury list himself), Al Spalding, and Gaylord Perry are on hand to pick up the starts.

Brian Wilson has 2 saves in the Gothams’s 3 wins.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Mike Cuellar is the 1st 2-game winner in the league, picking up 2 victories in relief and Johan Santana leads the league with a save in each of the Sea Dogs’ 3 wins.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Lefty Grove only gave up 3 hits and 1 run in a complete game win in his 1st start of the year. Jack Clark is hitting 417/417/750 with 10 RBI, leading the Sea Lions to a 5-0 record. Newly acquired Dick Lundy proved a sparkplug off the bench for San Francisco, even managing a steal of home in his first appearance.

Season Preview: Cleveland Spiders

By

On August 19, 2020

In Team News

Not a lot was expected of the Spiders heading into this season. And that was before 2 rotation starters and their starting C and CF were all injured. The bullpen looks strong, and there is some decent offensive talent, just not enough to convince. A lot hinges on whether Rowland Office can continue the level of performance that forced him onto the roster.

Final Roster

SP: Whit Wyatt, Cy Young, Bob Feller, Pat Malone, Mel Harder.
RP: Sam McDowell, Stan Coveleski & Hardie Henderson; Chuck Porter & Yordano Ventura; Cory Gearrin & Chad Qualls; Terry Adams.

C: Louis Santop; John Ellis; Andy Etchebarren.
1B: Jake Stahl; Nap Lajoie
2B: Chuck Knoblauch
3B: Ken Keltner; Bob Elliott
SS: Bill Dahlen; Bill Knickerbocker
LF: Rowland Office
CF: Larry Doby
RF: Johnny Bates
DH: Ron Blomberg

Notes

Anticipated opening day starter Whit Wyatt headed to the DL with a herniated disk. He’ll be back within a couple weeks, but it throws what was a settled rotation into a bit of disorder … it does keep both Sudden Sam McDowell and Stan Coveleski on the roster for a while as well … The Spiders start the season with a full DL, with Doug Corbett, Phenomenal Smith, Bill Steen, Louis Santop, Sammy Strang, and Tris Speaker all out. Corbett, Steen, and Strang should all be back around the same time as Wyatt … Santop’s injury moves John Ellis into the starting C slot and keeps Andy Etchebarren on the roster for the time being … Rowland Office has gone from Spring roster filler to starting LF after a 385/418/673 Spring, challenging the Spiders to find playing time for both him and Johnny Bates … the final cut was a bit of a shock, as Kenny Lofton looked to slot right in as Speaker’s replacement. Instead, Cleveland has opted for an OF with Office, Bates, Larry Doby, and Ron Blomberg splitting time … the dearth of production at SS has Cleveland trying to engineer a deal for Ottawa’s Freddy Parent …

35 year old P Stan Coveleski is the oldest player on the opening day roster, with 19 year old SP Bob Feller the youngest.

1B is quite deep for Cleveland, with Jim Thome and Hal Trosky waiting at AAA for a chance to contributed and 20 year old Charlie Grimm biding his time at AA.

Spring Training Preview: Cleveland

By

On June 21, 2020

In Team News

  • The starting rotation seems set, which means Hardie Henderson, Whit Wyatt, Stan Coveleski, and Bill Steen are battling for some long relief innings.
    • Injuries to Steen and Phenomenal Smith have opened some opportunities here, especially with Smith being out until sometime in June. Adding to the uncertainty, the projected top 3–Bob Feller, Pat Malone, and Mel Harder–have all struggled mightily. It feels like Cy Young and Wyatt will end up in the rotation, but its all up for grabs right now.
      • Wyatt, Young Feller, and Henderson are in, leaving 5 pitchers–Harder, Malone, Coveleski, Hank Gastright, and Sudden Sam McDowell–vying for the final slot.
  • Chad Qualls and Terry Adams are fighting for the closer role.
    • Cory Gearrin, Qualls, and Doug Corbett will setup Adams at the back end of the bullpen. Firpo Marberry has been recalled for some help in middle relief.
  • Louis Santop has an edge over John Ellis to start at C who has an edge over Andy Etchebarren to back him up.
    • Ellis’ Spring has him pushing for playing time, but he won’t displace Top behind the plate.
  • Jake Stahl and Hal Trosky are fighting to backup Jim Thome at 1B as are Bob Elliot and Sammy Strang at 3B behind Ken Keltner.
    • Not only has Strang played well, his ability to serve as a backup to Chuck Knoblauch at 2B probably assures him a roster spot.
      • 1B is very crowded, making Trosky’s Spring struggles enough to send him to AAA.
  • Bill Dahlen starts at SS, and Joe Sewell looks to be his backup, but Tom Veryzer could slip in if the Spiders decide a defensive option at SS is needed.
    • If Sewell continues to hit no better than Veryzer, the better glove will make the roster.
      • None of them have an OPS over .300. OPS. Someone had better hit soon. Bill Knickerbocker has been recalled to see if some more competition helps.
  • Either Harry Stovey or Kenny Lofton should make the team, but probably not both.
    • Tris Speaker is out for several months, opening the door for Lofton. Gus Bell, called up from AAA, will also get a look as a CF option.
    • The Spiders have also recalled OF Rowland Office and IF Jim Gantner to help with the Spring roster.
      • Office is making an argument to stay; Gantner is just sticking around for Spring flexibility.
Near DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersWhit Wyatt
Cy Young		Bob Feller
Hardie Henderson		Phenomenal Smith
Stan Coveleski
Hank Gastright
Sam McDowell
Pat Malone
Mel Harder		Bill Steen
Middle RelieversChuck Porter
Yordano Ventura		Firpo Marberry
SetupChad Qualls
Doug Corbett
Cory Gearrin
CloserTerry Adams
CLouis SantopJohn EllisAndy Etchebarren
1BJake Stahl
Jim Thome		Napoleon Lajoie
2BChuck Knoblauch
Sammy Strang		Jim Gantner
3BKen KeltnerBob Elliott
SSBill Dahlen
Joe Sewell
Tom Veryzer		Bill Knickerbocker
OFTris Speaker
Harry Stovey
Larry Doby
Johnny Bates		Ron Blomberg
Kenny Lofton
Rowland Office		Gus Bell

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