Tag: Johnny Bench

TWIWBL 8.1: Series VII Notes – Bill James Division

On June 18, 2021

#Detroit Wolverines

Hal Newhouser made his second appearance of the year (his first only lasted 1.2 IP before an elbow injury sent him to the DL). While a little wild (5 walks), he pitched 6.2 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball. Gene Conley and Kevin Hart finished off the 3-hit shutout in the 10-0 victory over Baltimore.

Tony Phillips suffered a concussion during the game, and was put on the 10 Day IL afterwards. 2B Robby Thompson, who has been tearing up AAA since being sent down, was recalled.

Whitey Wilshire joined the 4-game winner club with 6.1 scoreless innings against Baltimore. The game was a bit of a laugher, with Geoff Jenkins‘ 4 hits leading the Wolverines to an 8-1 victory.

#Los Angeles Angels

Brett Anderson tossed a brilliant 3-hit shutout, going the distance for an 8-0 victory over Homestead. Anderson improved to 2-3 on the year, with support from one expected source (Doug Rader going 3-for-4) and one unexpected (Derrek Lee driving in 3 runs).

Elmer Valo delivered an extra innings, walk-off victory in the final game of the series against the Grays. Valo singled in Mike Trout, who had walked to lead off the inning, and then gone to 3rd an a single by Bobby Grich. The hit gave the Angels a series sweep, with the win going to Jonny Venters, who pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of a highly effective Harry Howell.

#Memphis Red Sox

Nixey Callahan was a hard-luck 0-4 on the season, despite better than average numbers. He took matter into his own hands, spinning 7.1 innings of 2-hit ball against Kansas City and earning his first victory of the season. Joe Beggs pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season, and the Red Sox won a well-pitched game, 3-1.

#New York Gothams

After the blowout 16-5 win over Philadelphia, the Gothams placed C John Kerins on the DL, calling up light-hitting Wes Westrum from AAA Hartford.

Rain setup a doubleheader to close out the series with Philadelphia. In the first game, Joe Adcock tripled in 2 runs to tie the game at 3 with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth against Philadelphia’s closer, Bob Howry. Howry’s next pitch scooted under Bill Dickey for a passed ball, and a 4-3 improbable comeback win for the Gothams.

The Stars would win the second game, as Al Mays was shellacked for 6 runs in under 4 innings. The bright spot for the Gothams was a fantastic debut by recently recalled C Westrum, who went 3-for-4 with a grand slam. And I called him light-hitting above!

#Wandering House of David

Ernie Banks saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end in a 9-5 victory over Indianapolis. The following day, Gabby Hartnett and Banks each hit pinch-hit HRs to lead the House of David to a come from behind victory over the ABC’s.

Frank Sullivan pitched a great game, allowing only 1 hit through 8 innings against Indianapolis. But the ABC’s scored in the 9th, sending the game to extra innings, and a Johnny Bench HR consigned the House of David to an extra-inning defeat.

TWIWBL 5.5: Series IV Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On May 15, 2021

In TWIWBL

At 14-4, the New York Black Yankees lead Philadelphia by 2 games. Indianapolis is playing .500 ball, with Cleveland at the bottom of the division at 6-12.

Leading Starters: Ray Collins, PHI, 3-0, 3.96 ERA; Red Ruffing, NYY, 3-0, 4.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP; Vean Gregg, HOM, 1-1, 2.08 ERA; Ron Guidry, NYY, 2-1, 3.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP.
Leading Relievers: Bob Howry, PHI, 7 SV, 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP; Ron Reed, PHI, 2 SV, 6 H, 0.90 ERA, 1.00 WHIP.
Leading Batters: Lou Gehrig, NYY, 421/522/860, 6 HR; Babe Ruth, NYY, 440/517/853, 8 HR, 22 RBI; Rico Carty, PHI, 382/419/709; Eric Davis, NYY, 303/321/658, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 8 SB.

#Cleveland Spiders

Mel Harder‘s nagging shoulder forced him to the DL for 10 days, forcing a roster move for the Spiders, with Wilbur Cooper joining the ML staff after a good start to the season in AAA. Bill Steen will–for the moment–take Harder’s spot in the rotation.

#Homestead Grays

With Peaches Graham out for 10 days, Jim Hegan was recalled from AAA to serve as the backup C.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

C Johnny Bench nudged his BA over .200 with a 2-HR game, leading the ABC’s to an 8-2 victory over Cleveland. But the ABC’s hit some injury snags during the series, with OF Oscar Charleston and 2B Joe Morgan both out. Morgan will miss about 2 weeks, and Indianapolis recalled OF Edd Roush from AAA to take his roster spot. Losing Charleston for any length of time would hurt, as the young OF is slashing 348/375/522 to date. Luckily, his wrist looks bruised, not broken, and should only keep him out for a few days.

There are questions about the pitching staff, with either Bronson Arroyo or Virgil Trucks facing demotion if fresh arms are needed.

#Philadelphia Stars

In an impressive 8-6 win over Kansas City, Willie Davis went 3-for-4 with 2 solo HRs and Rico Carty went 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs.

The Stars’ mound corps are heavily overused at the moment, necessitating some roster moves. Ted Kluszewski and Larry Jackson were both sent to AAA Norfolk, but they are both expected to return shortly. Despite not giving up a hit in a handful of AAA innings, Jerry Blevins was released to make room for Jaret Wright on the WBL roster. P Ken Forsch was also recalled.

TWIWBL 2.2: Practice? We Talking About Practice?

By mknn

On September 5, 2020

In TWIWBL

It’s only 5 games, but here’s a quick look at whether or not Spring Training means anything.

Spring? We’re So Cold, It’s More Like Winter, amirite?

These are the players who tore the cover off the ball (or were lights out on the mound) during the Spring who have struggled now that the season has started.

#Baltimore Black Sox

Baltimore’s 19 year old OF Bryce Harper forced his way onto the roster with a torrid Spring. He’s hitting .238 so far, but his .429 SLG does hint at the talent there. Of more concern to Baltimore is Curt Blefary, who was supposed to be the slugging C in the middle of the order for the Black Sox, but has started the season with a 154/313/154 line.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

2B Davey Lopes–another player who became a starter in Spring Training–opened the season at 188/316/188.

#Cleveland Spiders

Rowland Office is struggling with a 150/190/200 start. That may not surprise many people, but Larry Doby‘s struggling to a 136/200/136 start is a bit of a shock.

#Indianapolis ABCs

Johnny Bench is struggling to a 053/182/211 start and surprise platoon starter at 3B Chase Headley has started out 083/083/333. Both Bench and Headley have a single hit: a HR each.

I Yam Who I Yam

Players who have performed over the first few games much like they did in the Spring.

#Chicago American Giants

Ben Sheets was fantastic in the Spring, and continued with 8 strong IP in his opening day win. Likewise, Shoeless Joe Jackson finished the Spring with an OPS around 1.2 and finished his 1st 5 games at 1.226.

#New York Black Yankees

And then there’s Mike Schmidt, who played himself out of a job in Philadelphia, was the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade, and has now started the season hitless for the Black Yankees.

#New York Gothams

Buster Posey continues to be a torrid offensive force, starting the season at 350/350/750.

It Was Just Spring, What Do You Want?

These are the Iverson’s, those for whom Spring Training is a meaningless flurry of sun and windsprints.

#Detroit Wolverines

1B Hank Greenberg had shown signs of life towards the end of Spring Training, and he continued the hot streak right into the games that matter, putting up a 444/522/778 line.

#Memphis Red Sox

After a poor Spring, Reggie Smith performed as soon as the bell rang, starting the year with a 348/423/609 line.

#New York Black Yankees

Lou Gehrig struggled so much in Spring Training there was talk of him starting the year at AAA. Instead, he’s opened the season leading the league with a 538 AVG a 1.154 SLG.

Season Preview: Indianapolis ABC’s

By mknn

On August 23, 2020

In Team News

The ABC’s are a littler hard to figure: Red Faber, Dolf Luque, and Johnny Cueto have been dominant at the front of the rotation, and Rob Dibble looks excellent as the closer. But there are question marks between them, cushioned by a plethora of talent at AAA. Offensively, there is some high-end talent here, especially in the form of Johnny Bench, but the lineup fizzles out towards the bottom end.

Final Roster

SP: Red Faber, Dolf Luque, Johnny Cueto, David Price, Virgil Trucks.
RP: Bronson Arroyo & Paul Derringer; Lefty James; Rob Murphy & Clay Carroll; Rob Dibble.

C: Johnny Bench; Ernie Lombardi
1B: Hal Morris
2B: Joe Morgan
3B: Chase Headley & Ed Charles
SS: Davey Concepcion; Dennis Menke
LF: Danny Hoffman & Bob Bescher
CF: Dave Henderson; Oscar Charleston
RF: Pete Rose
DH: Jake Stenzel

Notes

Virgil Trucks displaced Paul Derringer in the rotation and David Price earned the final starting slot … Indianapolis’ desire to keep all 3 of Johnny Bench, Jake Stenzel, and Ernie Lombardi complicates things, clearly costing Miller Huggins a spot despite a decent Spring …21 year old George Foster will start at AAA … Joey Votto looked a lock early in the Spring, but he lost the starting 1B job to Hal Morris … ultimately, carrying all 3 C meant only 11 arms in the bullpen, with Francisco Cordero‘s poor final outings sending him to the minors … there is a lot of rotation in the lineups as the ABC’s try to get playing time for the 3 Cs, as well as teenage phenom Oscar Charleston … that’s in addition to a traditional platoon of Ed Charles and Chase Headley at 3B and Danny Hoffman and Bob Bescher in LF.

35 year old ace SP Red Faber is the oldest player on the roster, and 19 year old Oscar Charleston the youngest.

21 year old Barry Larkin may be the future at SS for Indianapolis, but Joey Votto and Ps Willie Mitchell and Eppa Rixey are most likely to help in the near term from AAA. At AA, 17 year old Willie Montanez is turning heads and both he and 21 year old Rick Manning may move up soon.

This Week In Whirled Baseball: Spring Training Update I

By mknn

On June 30, 2020

In TWIWBL

Welcome to the very first installment of TWIWBL, 10 days into Spring Training. Each team’s individual Spring Training Preview page has been updated, and here are some highlights from around the league, focusing on injuries and performances that have shuffled depth charts.

#BALTIMORE BLACK SOX

When Bill Byrd went down, Mike Mussina was called up and his early performances have moved the 23 year old into the competition for the end of the rotation spots.

#BROOKLYN ROYAL GIANTS

Closer Watty Clark has been nearly unhittable with 3 saves in 3 chances in the Spring.

#CLEVELAND SPIDERS

CF Tris Speaker is out for several months with a torn calf muscle, throwing the Spiders OF into some chaos, and opening the door for both Larry Doby and Kenny Lofton to see more playing time.

#HOMESTEAD GRAYS

C Josh Gibson will miss most of Spring Training, but should be back for Opening Day. His absence, however, has revealed a paucity of talent at C, both at the WBL level and throughout the organization. Hobie Landrith and Blake Swihart will see some time during the Spring in support of Peaches Graham and the GM has begun scouring the land to help fill up the Grays’ roster of minor league backstops.

#INDIANAPOLIS ABC’S

Some of the best battles of the Spring are in the infield in Indianapolis, where Jake Stenzel and Johnny Bench are both hitting incredibly well at C, and there’s barely a hair’s width difference between Joe Morgan and Miller Huggins at 2B and Piggy Ward and Ed Charles at 3B.

#MEMPHIS RED SOX

With projected front of rotation SPs Sadie McMahon, Roger Clemens, and Nixey Callahan all posting ERA’s over 8, and Jon Lester‘s 7.00 ERA the best of other options, the starting rotation is a mess in Kansas City. Luckily, they’re only 10 games in.

#NEW YORK BLACK YANKEES

One thing is constant in the WBL: Babe Ruth leads the league in HR, with 5 in 9 games. He, Mickey Mantle, Eric Davis, and Aaron Judge may be the best 4 man OF in the league.

#NEW YORK GOTHAMS

The trio of Christy Mathewson, Gaylord Perry, and Mickey Welch are having a remarkable Spring, with 5 wins and only 5 ER in over 30 IP between them.

#SAN FRANCISCO SEA LIONS

The Sea Lions are committed to the running game, with Pete Browning and Rickey Henderson tied for the Spring league with 5.

Spring Training Preview: Indianapolis

By mknn

On June 19, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

Barring injury, the starting rotation is set, but there are some unknowns in the bullpen where Norm Charlton, Francisco Cordero, and Lefty James are in contention to make the roster.
- The pitching has been strong, but Tony Mullane has struggled a bit allowing the possibility for one of several contenders to lay claim to the #5 slot. Johnny Cueto, Dolf Luque, and David Price are all yet to allow a run, so we’ll start with those 3.
  - Mullane has been sent to AAA, and Eppa Rixey is now questionable to make the rotation, with Bronson Arroyo, Paul Derringer, Dixie Leveret and Luque joining Cueto and Price in the running.
- Charlton, Octavio Dotel, and Cordero have all struggled in relief, while Clay Carroll has excelled.
  - Cordero and continues to be on the bubble, and the desire to reduce roster size has sent Charlton to AAA.
It’s clear that Johnny Bench and Jake Stenzel will both make the roster, but it’s not clear who will be the starter at C.
- Both have excelled, so still not clear. Ernie Lombardi has been recalled for depth.
  - Lombardi is also hitting very well: at this point, they’d like to keep all 3 on the opening day roster.
Joe Morgan and Miller Huggins are in competition at 2B, as are Piggy Ward and Ed Charles at 3B.
- Huggins and Morgan are still neck and neck. Given Menke’s ability to fill in at 2B, Lonny Frey is heading back to AAA.
SS is a mess: Dennis Menke and Jhonny Peralta have the edge to start, but a great Spring by either Barry Larkin or Dave Concepcion could leapfrog them.
- Menke and Concepcion lead this race, but nothing is settled yet.
Oscar Charleston looks like the real deal, but the OF is crowded. Performances this Spring should shed some light on how the team differentiates between Charlie Hemphill, Edd Roush, Pete Rose, Bob Bescher, George Foster, and Willie Montanez.
- Charleston has yet to show much of anything, and only Edd Roush is performing worse of the OFers. But only Rose has made enough noise to join Dave Henderson as a likely starter.
  - Charleston has improved dramatically, but other than Roush continuing to struggle and Rose leading the way, little is clear here.
- Montanez has been moved to AAA to clear some OF room (especially with Hemphill about to return from a few days off), and Chase Headley has been recalled to add some depth at 3B.
  - Headley has been very impressive, and is arguing for a roster spot.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Virgil Trucks Red Faber Willie Mitchell		Eppa Rixey Johnny Cueto Dolf Luque Paul Derringer David Price Dixie Leveret Bronson Arroyo
Middle Relievers			Octavio Dotel Lefty James Francisco Cordero
Setup		Rob Murphy Clay Carroll
Closer	Rob Dibble
C		Johnny Bench Jake Stenzel	Ernie Lombardi
1B		Joey Votto Hal Morris
2B		Joe Morgan Miller Huggins
3B		Piggy Ward Ed Charles	Chase Headley
SS		Dennis Menke Dave Concepcion		Barry Larkin Jhonny Peralta
OF	Pete Rose	Dave Henderson Bob Bescher Oscar Charleston	Edd Roush George Foster Charlie Hemphill Danny Hoffman

Indianapolis ABC’s

Cincinnati Reds

AAA – Cincinnati Tigers
AA – Nashville Sounds
A – Lexington Colts

Marvin Miller Division

Look, I love the Great Red Machine, too (and the banner–including Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and George Foster–reflects that). But the Reds really have little else in their history, and the ABC’s were a great NeL franchise.

	Crosley Field (49,603) HR: 1.173 \| BA: 1.016
	Palace of the Fans (32,000) HR: .979\| BA: 1.032
	First Tennessee Park (39,500) HR: 1.000\| BA: .991
	League Park II (CIN) (9,000) HR: .939 \| BA: .939

2000: 3rd Place, .474.

2001 Projections

As of the end of Spring Training.


C	Johnny Bench Lew Ritter	Mike Redmond Bo Díaz Larry Pratt	Christian Vazquez patsy gharrity admiral schlei	Tom Angley Rollie Hemslley Abe Wolstenholme
1B	Joey Votto	Sean Casey Edwin Encarnación Doc Hoblitzell	Dan Driessen	adam duvall JC Martin
2B	Joe Morgan	Lonny Frey Larry Milbourne	Dario Lodigiani Hughie Critz Luis Rivas Johnny Temple	Jhonny Peralta
SS	Denis Menke Barry Larkin	Craig Counsell	Walt Weiss Ed Farrell	Oliver Marcell Donie Bush Lenny Faedo Greg Gagne pokey reese
3B	Ed Charles	Robin Ventura Tommy Helms	Buddy Myer Jim Finigan	Bob Aspromonte Matt Chapman Matt Franco
OF	Bob Bescher Adam Dunn Oscar Charleston Jake Stenzel George Foster Dave Henderson	Pete Rose Curt Walker Edd Roush Emil Frisk Harold Baines Heinie Manush	Joe Keough Charlie Hemphill Danny Hoffman Ed Swartwood Spud Johnson Mike Mitchell	Gene Martin pete o’Brien Jim Eisenreich Adam Jones Wally Post Bobby Brooks chris dickerson Chase Headley Heinie Jantzen Max Marshall Earl McNeely Ross Youngs
SP	Doc White Willie Mitchell Johnny Cueto Sad Sam Jones Luis Padrón Rube Foster ~~Red Faber~~	Eppa Rixey Paul Derringer Virgil Trucks Jack Powell Dan Spillner Dolf Luque	Doc Medich Bill Bailey Joe Moeller Brad Radke Jeff Robinson	jim maloney Tom Glavine bob ewing Ray Culp Bob Reynolds
RP	~~Rob Dibble~~ Clay Carroll Lefty James Dick Tidrow jack billingham Ewell Blackwell	Johnny Gorsica Dixie Leverett Jerry Reuss Don Nottebart Johnny Vander Meer	George Pipgras Rob Murphy Bill Evans Lynn Brenton Dick Joyce Sugar Cain	Red Proctor pete shcourek Mike Nakamura Oad Swigart Tyler Clippard Gene Lambert
UP	edward nolan	Mike LaCoss Chris Hammond Teddy Higuera ~~Hal White~~	Octavio Dotel Jack Armstrong Warren Hacker Bart Johnson Norm Charlton	Al Hrabosky

5+ Year Contracts; 2-4 year contracts; future rights; ~~Injured~~

TWIWBL 94.1 (5/1/2026)
TWIWBL 92.5: Off Season Review – Indianapolis ABC’s (4/25/2026)
TWIWBL 84.7: NL Wild Card Round – Indianapolis ABC’s v Brooklyn Royal Giants (1/12/2026)
TWIWBL 84.3: NL Playoff Previews (1/8/2026)
TWIWBL 83.7: Marvin Miller Division (1/1/2026)
TWIWBL 83.3: The Final Week! (12/28/2025)
TWIWBL 82.6: Marvin Miller Division (12/17/2025)
TWIWBL 81.7: Marvin Miller Division (11/4/2025)
TWIWBL 80.7: Marvin Miller Division (10/16/2025)
TWIWBL 80.1: Year 2, Week 23 (10/10/2025)

	Crosley Field (49,603) HR: 1.173 \| BA: 1.016
	Palace of the Fans (32,000) HR: .979\| BA: 1.032
	First Tennessee Park (39,500) HR: 1.000\| BA: .991
	League Park II (CIN) (9,000) HR: .939 \| BA: .939