Tag: José Canseco Page 3 of 4

Series XXIII: Best Games

On December 7, 2022

For Series XXIII, we’re going to look at 3 series, each of which had 2 compelling games to visit more closely.

#Baltimore Black Sox @ Brooklyn Royal Giants, Games 1 and 3

The opening game of the series between Baltimore and Brooklyn was a bit of a surprise as the pitching matchup–Dennis Martínez and Don Drysedale–hinted at a pitcher’s duel. Instead, it was a see-saw affair, with the Black Sox taking an early lead, and then surrendering 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th. The key hit was Germany Smith‘s 2nd homerun of the year which, along with another run the following inning, gave the Royal Giants a 7-4 lead. Baltimore came back with a run in the 7th and 4 more in the 8th behind Larry Gardner‘s second homerun of the day en route to a 9-7 victory. Gardner finished with 3 hits and 5 RBIs for the Black Sox, whose bullpen delivered 5 innings of 1-hit relief.

BAL 9 (Palmer 7-7; Bessent 12 Sv; Beggs 3 H) @ BRK 7 (Dreifort 0-2, 1 B Sv; Hanson 4 H)
HRs: BAL – Gardner 2 (8), Robinson (19); BRK – Smith (2), Snider (20).
Box Score

The 3rd game of the series went to extra innings, but we should start with the great starts put in by Baltimore’s Mike Mussina (4 IP, 1 run) and Brooklyn’s Sandy Koufax (5 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits). Both of their days were cut short by a long rain delay, turning the game over to a pair of already thin bullpens. They got by–at the end of the 6th, the game was tied at 2, and it stayed that way into the 11th.

In the top of the frame, Baltimore’s Baby Doll Jacobson put down a great bunt to score Brian Roberts from 3B, and later came around on a single from Bobby Wallace to give the Black Sox a 4-2 lead.

The Royal Giants wouldn’t go down without a fight, however: Ron Cey doubled home Jackie Robinson to cut the lead to 1 run, and a 2-out single from Dickie Thon loaded the bases … but Don Bessent got the Royal Giants’ John Briggs to popout to 3B to end the game.

BAL 4 (Miller 3-1; Bessent 13 Sv) @ BRK 3 (Hanson 0-1; Gagne 5 B Sv)
HRs: BRK – Thon (4)
Box Score

#Miami Cuban Giants @ New York Gothams, Games 2 and 3

Miami‘s pitching–and especially their bullpen–has been pretty woeful all year, so when the Gothams scored 4 in the bottom of the 2nd to take a 4-3 lead, you could be excused for thinking the game was over. But the Cuban Giants fought back behind 2 homeruns from José Canseco and effective innings from Ed Bauta and Aroldis Chapman, not to mention a key OF kill from Alejandro Oms, who gunned down Willie Mays trying to score in the bottom of the 8th.

MCG 10 (Elias 3-3; Chapman 14 Sv; Brown 1 H; Bauta 9 H) @ NYG 7 (Marichal 7-6)
HRs: MCG – Canseco 2 (21); NYG – Adcock (3), Kerins (3), Higgins (7)
Box Score

José Méndez turned in one of his better performances of the year for Miami in game 3: 5 innings, 2 earned runs. A quality start. And nobody was talking about it, as New York’s Christy Mathewson won his 10th game of the year with a masterful 1-hit complete game shutout, striking out 7 and walking only one. Indeed, it was one of the best starts in the WBL all season, and Mark Loretta‘s 2 hits and 3 RBIs were more than enough for the Gothams.

MCG 0 (Méndez 2-4) @ NYG 3 (Mathewson 10-6)
HRs: n/a.
Box Score

#Houston Colt 45s @ Chicago American Giants, Games 2 & 4

Finally, we have two games from the Houston Colt 45s visit to Chicago. Game 2 was a pitcher’s duel between Houston’s Bones Ely and Chicago’s Mark Buehrle. Ely was better, allowing 1 run in over 7 innings of 3-hit ball, but Buehrle was quite good, allowing only an unearned run on an error by Dick Allen over 6 innings of work.

Chicago would score its first run in the bottom of the 8th on a wild pitch by Andrew Chafin, and win the game on a walkoff homerun from Allen, atoning for his earlier miscue. Mid-season acquisition Hoyt Wilhelm got the win with 3innings of 1-hit relief.

HOU 1 (Melancon 8-2; Chafin 2 B Sv) @ CAG 2 (Wilhelm 2-0)
HRs: CAG – Allen (15).
Box Score

The series finale was a fun one.

Houston jumped out to a 6-0 lead behind homeruns from Jimmy Wynn and Jeff Bagwell, but also left nine batters on base through the first 4 innings, which is actually hard to do. But with Roger Clemens giving his best work since joining the Colt 45’s, it seemed OK. Clemens reached 100 pitches after 6 innings of work, and left with leading, 6-3.

But Chicago rocked Luke Gregerson and Scott Erickson, torching Houston’s relievers for 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th to take the lead, 8-6. Recently recalled Andrés Galarraga sent a moon shot into the RF stands in the top of the 8th to swing the lead back to Houston, 9-8, and with Houston’s closer, Billy Wagner, taking the mound in the bottom of the 9th, all looked safe.

But Carlton Fisk reached on an error by SS Carlos Correa and José Abreu walked, setting the stage for a double from Magglio Ordóñez to tie the game and a single from Eddie Collins (who finished the day with 3 hits and 5 RBIs) to win it.

HOU 9 (Wagner 0-2, 4 B Sv; Gregerson 2 H; Melancon 8 H; Erickson 1 B Sv) @ CAG 10 (Newcombe 1-2, 1 B Sv)
HRs: HOU – Wynn (13), Bagwell (10), Galarraga (2).
Box Score

Series XXII Featured Matchup: Chicago American Giants @ Miami Cuban Giants

By mknn

On August 4, 2022

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series Preview here.

#Game 1: Mark Buehrle @ Roenis Elias

Chicago jumped on Roenis Elias in the top of the first, with Eddie Collins leading off the game with a long homerun, Carlton Fisk tripling and scoring on a sacrifice fly, and Freddy Parent drilling a solo shot to right field for an early 3-0 lead for Chicago.

But Elias settled down after that, and a solo shot by Chris Hoiles in the bottom of the 2nd put Miami on the board.

Elias kept the game 3-0 until the top of the 5th, when a single by Joe Jackson and a walk by Fisk chased him from the game. Still, not a bad effort given the start. He was relieved by Phenomenal Smith who has been, um, yeah, pretty phenomenal in his first dozen WBL innings. Today, though, not so much: Smith hit a batter, walked in a run, gave up an RBI single to José Abreu, increasing the American Giants’ lead to 5-1.

Meanwhile, Mark Buehrle continued to sail along, giving up only 3 hits and the single run through 6 innings until an RBI double from Eustaquio Pedroso chased him from the game. Ed Walsh relieved Buehrle, and induced a groundball to third from pinch-hitter Sandy Amorós, but Jack Doyle booted the ball, letting Pedroso score and closing the game to 5-3.

Miami refused to go away, though, and an RBI double from Gary Sheffield in the 8th made it a 1 run game, 5-4 despite Miami only managing 5 hits.

AJ Minter walked one in the 9th, but that was it, to preserve the victory and pick up his 16th save.

CAG 5 (Buehrle 7-7; Minter 16 Sv; Walsh 1 H; Dixon 5 H) @ MCG 4 (Elias 2-3)
HRs: CAG – Collins 14, Parent 3; MCG – Hoiles 1.
Box Score

#Game 2: Dick Rudolph @ José Méndez

José Méndez took the mound for Miami in the second game of the series, but it was Chicago’s Dick Rudolph who gave up the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Gary Sheffield.

Méndez couldn’t overcome an error in the top of the 2nd, allowing a 2 run double by Jack Doyle. He settled down for a few innings after that, but an RBI single from Mike Fiore and a bases-loaded walk to Dick Allen chased him from the game, trailing 4-1 in the top of the 5th. Steve Brown was summoned from the bullpen, and got the final two outs of the inning with the bases loaded to hold the score steady.

Despite giving up the run, Rudolph didn’t give up a hit until Alan Ashby doubled in the bottom of the 5th. A bases loaded walk to Sandy Amorós cut the lead in half, 4-2.

But Brown was ineffective in the 6th, giving up a 2 RBI single to Freddy Parent and another run scoring knock to Frank Thomas. That put Chicago up by 5, 7-2. Marcelino López imploded at that point, eventually giving up a 3 run homerun to Doyle (his 3rd hit of the game). That made it 11-2, and a 2 run shot from Thomas essentially ended the contest.

That did allow Cristóbal Torriente to make his first mound appearance of the year to close out the final inning of the blowout. It went pretty smoothly, with only a walk to Chris Hoiles blemishing a perfect inning.

Doyle, Thomas, and Parent each had 3 hits and Doyle drove in 5 runs for Chicago, with Rudolph picking up his 2nd victory since joining the American Giants.

CAG 15 (Rudolph 2-0) @ MCG 3 (Méndez 2-3)
HRs: CAG – Doyle (2), Thomas (18).
Box Score

#Game 3: Don Newcombe @ Eustaquio Pedroso

Don Newcombe faces his old team trying to avoid becoming the first 11 game loser in the WBL. He’ll be opposed by Eustaquio Pedroso, desperately trying to hold onto his rotation spot.

It didn’t start well for Pedroso as a couple of hits and a couple of walks resulted in a 2-0 lead for Chicago with the runs scoring on a single from Cristóbal Torriente. Jack Doyle took Pedroso deep in the 2nd, extending the lead to 3-0.

Miami would get on the board in the bottom of the 2nd, with a double by Robin Yount plating their first tally and a sacrifice flies from Jim Thome and Sandy Amorós tying the game at 3.

It was short lived, as a homerun by Dave Nilsson gave Chicago the lead once more, but an RBI double by Will Clark tied it up again and a single from Yount put the Cuban Giants ahead once more, 5-4. A single in the bottom of the 4th from Canseco increased the lead to 6-4 and chased Newcombe from the game, replaced by Ed Walsh. Gary Sheffield greeted Walsh with a double that scored 2, making it 8-4.

Pedroso gave way to Phenomenal Smith in the 6th, who gave up 1 run in 2 innings, leaving the score 8-5.

Akinori Otsuka gave up a long homerun to Thome in the bottom of the 7th, pushing the lead to 10-5 and another 2 run homerun, this one from José Canseco off Clay Condrey made it 12-5 heading into the bottom of the 9th.

Frank Thomas greeted Aroldis Chapman with a solo shot to left, but that was it as Miami won their first game of the series, 12-6. Canseco finished with 4 hits, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.

CAG 6 (Newcombe 2-11) @ MCG 12 (Pedroso 5-5)
HRs: CAG – Doyle (3), Nilsson (5), Thomas (19); MCG – Thome (11), Canseco (19).
Box Score

#Game 4: Ben Sheets @ Camilo Pascual

Chicago will turn to Ben Sheets in the series finale while Miami will hope Camilo Pascual can salvage a split for the Cuban Giants.

José Cardenal led off the bottom of the first with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Pete Runnels for an early 1-0 Miami lead. It lasted exactly to the start of the next inning when Joe Jackson took Pascual deep to tie the game. Which lasted until Will Clark went deep to lead off the bottom of the frame. And that lasted until Jackson lashed a 2-run single in the top of the 3rd with the bases loaded, putting the American Giants back on top, 3-2.

Miami returned the favor with RBI’s from Runnels, Gary Sheffield, and Clark–that’s right, a 3-run inning–to retake the lead, 5-3. Runnels continued his great game with a 3-run shot that chased Sheets in the 4th and a 2-run single in the 5th.

That gave Pascual–who had clearly settled down–a 10-3 lead heading into the 6th. The teams scored a few more times, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Runnels ended up with 3 hits and 7 RBIs, leading Miami to a series split.

CAG 4 (Sheets 7-6) @ MCG 13 (Pascual 5-8)
HRs: CAG – Jackson (19); MCG – Clark (15), Runnels (1).
Box Score

Series Notes

Miami’s comeback to split has to be quite a surprise, the manner they did it even moreso, outscoring Chicago in the series, 32-30.

José Canseco was 6-for-12 in the series and Will Clark and Gary Sheffield had 6 hits each.

Freddy Parent continued to endear himself to his new team, going 6-for-14 while Frank Thomas had 5 hits and 2 homeruns for Chicago

Series XXII Preview: Chicago American Giants @ Miami Cuban Giants

By mknn

On July 27, 2022

In Series Previews

{ Whoops, this should have been posted before the prior post. }

If the Chicago American Giants seem somewhat familiar, it’s because they were just featured in Series XX. We first saw them way back in Series VI.

This is only the 2nd appearance for the Miami Cuban Giants, who we first saw in Series XI. They are the last team to get their second features, perhaps appropriate for one of the weakest teams in the WBL.

#Chicago American Giants

Chicago comes into this series in 2nd place, 3 games behind Baltimore in the Cum Posey Division. They’re a good team, among the best offensively with a pitching staff that is better in the rotation than the bullpen.

The American Giants are led by a powerful quintet: OFs Joe Jackson and Duffy Lewis and IFs Frank Thomas (although he’s more a DH than a 1B), Eddie Collins, and Dick Allen. Jackson leads in BA, SLG, and OPS (328, 579, and 990, respectively); Lewis in HR (21), Thomas in OBP and RBI (429, 70), Collins in SB (38). It’s an insane lineup for opposing hurlers to get through.

Tricky Nichols leads the way on the mound at 9-3 with a 3.67 ERA while Ben Sheets is 7-5, 3.45. The key here is that none of the other starters–Mark Buehrle and newcomers Dick Rudolph and Don Newcombe–have been bad, making the staff fairly consistent.

If there is an issue for Chicago, it’s the bullpen. Closer AJ Minter (15 saves, 2.18) has been excellent, but getting to him as been a struggle at times, leading to the midseason acquisition of Hoyt Wilhelm.

#Miami Cuban Giants

The Cuban Giants are young, and bad, with what is most likely the league’s worst offense, and a pitching staff not far behind.

José Canseco (291/359/510, 18 HR) has been the one consistent bright spot, and while 1B Will Clark and the more recently promoted C Alan Ashby and Gary Sheffield have been solid, the rest have been pretty miserable.

Rube Waddell and Camilo Pascual have been solid, even occasionally excellent as starters. But after that … the less said the better. Similarly, Aroldis Chapman clearly has an elite arm at closer, but the rest of the bullpen has been quite a mess, although Phenomenal Smith has been excellent since his very recent recall from AAA.

As a point of curiosity, Eustaquio Pedroso and Martín Dihigo both look promising as 2-way players.

#Series Matchups

Chicago starter listed first.

Mark Buehrle (6-7, 4.40) @ Roenis Elías (2-2, 5.60)
Dick Rudolph (6-4, 4.20) @ José Méndez (2-2, 6.25)
Don Newcombe (2-10, 5.80) @ Eustaquio Pedroso (4-5, 5.95)
Ben Sheets (7-5, 3.45) @ Camilo Pascual (4-8, 3.67)

#Series Predictions

With Nichols missing the series, I think Miami can win 1 game. Of course, with Waddell missing it, perhaps not even that. But I’ll stick with 3-1, Chicago.

TWIWBL 27.4: Series XXI Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On July 12, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

Where has this been all year? Greg Maddux finally delivered on his potential, spinning a 3-hit, complete game shutout of the mighty Black Yankees in a 5-0 Black Barons win. Maddux was helped from homeruns from Billy Southworth and Del Crandall.

Alejandro Peña allowed only 4 hits and 1 run through 7 innings, and Steve Bedrosian and Juan Ríncón were near perfect in relief as Birmingham beat New York again, 3-1. Adrián González‘ first HR for Birmingham was key, breaking a 1-1 tie in the 8th inning.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

After the series, Brooklyn finally lost patience with Hi Meyers, releasing the struggling CF and promoting promising John Briggs all the way from AA to the big league club.

#Miami Cuban Giants

The search for the right staff continues in Miami, with Bill Landrum and being sent to AA. Chris Resop and Steve Brown move to Miami, with Chico Fernández and Sandy Consuegra being released. Eddie Milner, ice cold after a nice debut, was sent down as well, with Carlos Peña being recalled to further complicate the 1B situation.

#Portland Sea Dogs

They couldn’t quite overcome a 7-0 deficit, but Kent Hrbek‘s 26th HR tied Babe Ruth for the league lead as the Sea Dogs fell 7-6 to Miami.

Walter Johnson delivered a great performance, allowing only 2 hits and 1 run over 8 innings while striking out 10, but he wasn’t involved in the decision, as José Canseco greeted Portland’s closer Johan Santana with a tying homerun in the top of the 9th. Jeff Burroughs won the game in the bottom of the 12th with his 13th homerun of the season, but the victory was costly, as Santana was injured while on the mound.

Bert Blyleven turned in one of the better performances of the season, fanning a WBL record 14 batters in a complete game, 5-hit shutout of Miami. Gary Pettis had 2 hits, scored twice, and stole 3 bases in the 4-0 victory.

Bad news for the Sea Dogs, as their closer–and WBL saves leader–Santana will miss the rest of the season with a partially torn labrum. Elmer Brown takes over the closer duties for Portland, with Hal Griggs joining the bullpen from AAA.

Somehow, Greg Litton remains in the WBL.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Tim Hudson‘s 2nd start for the Sea Lions was better than the first, but the result was the same as San Francisco fell to the House of David despite Bob Cerv‘s pair of homeruns.

TWIWBL 26.4: Series XX Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On June 24, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

Larry Benton struck out 11 batters in 6 innings, leading the Black Barons over San Francisco 6-4 in his first start of the year. Billy Southworth and Hank Aaron drove in 2 runs each, and Harley Young bailed out an exhausted bullpen with his 2nd save of the season.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Trevor Hildenberger will miss about a week, sending him to the DL with Orel Hershiser returning to Brooklyn.

#Miami Cuban Giants

José Canseco hit 2 homeruns to lead the Cuban Giants to an 11-7 victory over Kansas City. Will Clark had 3 hits and drove in 3 runs.

The Cuban Giants exploded for 5 runs in the 1st, then saw their lead evaporate before a bases-loaded walk to Gary Sheffield in the bottom of the 9th eked out a 7-6 win. Canseco had 4 hits and Jim Thome drove in 3. Each of them, along with Alan Ashby, went deep.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

The experiment of leaving Miguel Cairo without a backup at SS ends after only a few games, as Ron Hunt goes to AA with Denny Hocking coming up to San Francisco.

Tim Hudson‘s first start for the Sea Lions did not go as planned with the recent acquisition giving up 4 runs in 5 innings en route to a loss to lowly Birmingham. Bobby Bonds and Pedro Guerrero had 3 hits each in the losing effort.

TWIWBL 24.12: Mid-Season Reviews – Miami Cuban Giants

By mknn

On March 11, 2022

In Team News, TWIWBL

Summary

Miami is probably the worst team in the league. Not much else to say.

What’s Gone Right

José Can You See. José Canseco has been their best player … even with a SLG just under .500.

The Starters. Actually, the Cuban Giants rotation has been decent, especially up front with Camilo Pascual and Tommy Bridges. Add in the surprising performances from Roenis Elías and José Méndez, and there are some reasons for optimism if they could just score some runs.

The Callups. In addition to Elias, Marcelino López has been strong on the hill, and both C Alan Ashby and IF Gary Sheffield have made an impact. Add to that 2B Pete Runnels, picked up off the waiver wire, and the team has done well adding parts throughout the first half.

What’s Gone Wrong

The Offense. Canseco is the only regular with an OPS over .800. That just hurts.

1B/3B/DH. The trio of Will Clark, Manny Machado, and Jim Thome were supposed to provide heart-of-the-order threats for Miami. Instead–despite combining for a respectable 31 homeruns–that trio has struggled to do much else offensively, with OPS within 30 points of .700.

Injuries. Talk about a team that can’t really handle them. Martín Dihigo, Rube Waddell, Ramón Martínez, Carlos Morán and Paul Molitor (plus some others) have all spent significant time on the DL.

Key Storylines

The question is how much they can sell off.

Trading Outlook

SELLING.

And likely to be in the same mode for a few years. This organization needs talent, top to bottom.

There are some useful parts here: on the mound, Clay Condrey, Don Newcombe, and especially Bridges and Waddell.

AAA Shuttle

See above–it’s actually been OK, especially with the pickup of Runnels.

Midseason Changes

Elias and Méndez join the rotation.

Awards

All Stars: José Canseco (RF).

Offensive MVP: José Canseco (OF)
Pitching MVP: Camilo Pascual (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: Orlando Rays

Next to the Show: RP Sandy Consuegra, P Steve Brown, 1B Carlos Peña, OF Tony González.

Prospects: Ah, if only …

Projects: 3B Willie Kamm (23), 2B Tony Taylor (24), RP Steve Brown (27), 1B Carlos Peña (32), OF José Tartabull (25).

Suspects: SS Julio Lugo (30), C Clyde Sukeforth (36), OF Gee Walker (36), P Bobby Locke (30), RP Ryoto Igarashi (33).

AA: Havana Industriales

Prospects: RP Glenn Spencer (22), SS Zoilo Versalles (19), C Harry Danning (23), SP George Lauzerique (21).

Projects: Jorge Rubio (21), Big Jeff Pfeffer (26), Clete Boyer (18), 2B Tito Fuentes (26).

Suspects: 1B Julio Becquer (27), 2B Luis Castillo (24).

TWIWBL 22.4: Series XVIII Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On February 4, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

OF Al Schweitzer will miss about a month with a strained groin. Ginger Beaumont–who couldn’t hit .200 in an earlier stint with the big league club, but has been slashing 423/516/654 at AAA–was recalled.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Don Drysedale rebounded from a rough start to turn in over 8 strong innings in earning his fifth win of the season in an 7-2 win over Memphis. Duke Farrell had 3 hits and 3 RBIs including his 3rd homerun of the year.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Sandy Consuegra was sent to AAA as, with Tommy Bridges out for a few days, the Cuban Giants needed another starter. Dontrelle Willis was recalled to the big leagues.

Pete Runnels went 4-for-4, continuing his great start with his new team, and Robin Yount scored three times, helping Miami to a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Ottawa. The big blow was a grand slam from José Canseco in the 8th inning, giving Ed Bauta his first win on the season. Aroldis Chapman picked up his 12th save of the year.

#Portland Sea Dogs

With Dizzy Trout out for 2 weeks, the Sea Dogs recalled Bob Porterfield from AAA.

TWIWBL 21.1: NL All Star Selections

By mknn

On January 26, 2022

In All Star Games, TWIWBL

AL All Stars here.

The final choice was the hardest, as the NL decided to go with only 11 pitchers, electing to select both Rickey Henderson and Josh Gibson over Joseíto Muñoz‘ arm in the bullpen.

Predictably, the New York Black Yankees have the most players going with seven, but the Portland Sea Dogs will supply four of the starters for the NL.

The Indianapolis ABC’s and the Miami Cuban Giants will have a single representative each.

Catchers

Portland’s Joe Mauer is the starting backstop. The question here is whether Thurman Munson (Black Yankees) has done enough to overtake Indianapolis’ Johnny Bench behind him. Munson’s OPS is .001 higher, and he’s spent a little more time behind the plate. But Bench has played more overall, and leads Munson in all counting stats other than doubles. It’s a bit of a moot point, as all three make the team.

That potentially leaves two deserving players off the roster: the Homestead Grays‘ Josh Gibson is putting up incredible numbers for a teenager and Mauer’s teammate, Iván Rodríguez, would easily make the team if he had more playing time (it’s a pretty good problem for the Sea Dogs to have).

Johnny Bench (IND). 278/394/542.
Josh Gibson (HOM). 315/406/472.
Joe Mauer (POR). 317/401/545.
Thurman Munson (NYY). 330/392/544; 20 2B.
Iván Rodríguez (POR). 352/370/555.

First Base

Three players have an OPS over 1.000 but only one will make the roster as a first baseman. The Cleveland Spiders‘ Ron Blomberg will start for the NL, but at DH, while Portland’s Kent Hrbek will take the field at first. The third player, Blomberg’s teammate John Ellis, just hasn’t played enough, with under 200 plate appearances. Still, those numbers are a little hard to ignore.

New York’s Lou Gehrig deserves a selection, but like Blomberg, he’s seen the field very rarely, so he’ll also make the roster as a DH. Finally, both Homestead’s Mike Epstein and Indianapolis’ Jake Stahl deserve a very close look for a roster spot, but with both Blomberg and Gehrig ahead of them, it’s not clear they’ll make it. In the end, Epstein is the strongest candidate from the Grays, so he does make the roster.

Ron Blomberg (CLE). 335/405/618; 18 HR; 18 2B; 49 RBI; 48 R.
John Ellis (CLE). 311/351/659; 16 HR.
Mike Epstein (HOM). 336/438/521.
Lou Gehrig (NYY). 284/382/591; 16 HR.
Kent Hrbek (POR). 322/393/617; 22 HR; 54 RBI; 53 R.
Jake Stahl (IND). 277/337/564.

Second Base

Despite Tom Herr‘s recent slump, the Birmingham Black Barons‘ second baseman remains a media darling, and was anointed as the all star starter many moons ago. It’s a little unfair to Cleveland’s Chuck Knoblauch, who really has surpassed Herr by a hair. Herr has been the superior fielder by quite a bit, so perhaps that justifies his getting the starting nod.

After those two, it’s hard. Indianapolis’ Joe Morgan deserves it, but has played in barely over half the ABC’s games. The other two candidates–the San Francisco Sea Lion‘s Jimmy Bloodworth and the Brooklyn Royal Giant‘s Jackie Robinson–come with their own concerns. In Robinson’s case, he’s really played much more at 1B, where his offensive contribution is decidedly mediocre; Bloodworth’s numbers are just a tad weaker across the board than the others.

Jimmy Bloodworth (SFS). 282/320/467.
Tom Herr (BBB). 310/355/440. 16 2B.
Chuck Knoblauch (CLE). 300/353/451. 16 2B.
Joe Morgan (IND). 301/385/412.
Jackie Robinson (BRK). 273/338/485.

Third Base

The hot corner is a little weak in the NL. The Philadelphia Star‘s Scott Rolen is among the better hitters and has been–by far–the flashiest with the leather, so he gets the starting nod.

Portland’s Buddy Bell has hit better than Rolen, but is both mired in a slump and has been weaker defensively. Still, it’s enough to make the team. After those two … who knows? Brooklyn’s Ron Cey has been fine, and if there is a need for a third player, he’s likely it. San Francisco’s Pedro Guerrero has neither played enough in general, nor enough at 3B to warrant inclusion, but he has been a force offensively.

Buddy Bell (POR). 290/354/506; 44 RBI.
Ron Cey (BRK). 242/350/465.
Pedro Guerrero (SFS). 298/367/530.
Scott Rolen (PHI). 284/353/491. 19 2B.

Shortstop

Offensively, there are really only two contenders: Portland’s Jim Fregosi and New York’s Derek Jeter. Both have been below average defensively, but Fregosi has been better than Jeter: between that and his better offensive output, he gets the starting nod.

Homestead’s Arky Vaughan has been spectacular defensively, but it’s not clear it’s been enough to offset a very poor offensive showing, while San Francisco’s Dick Lundy was making a good argument before he got injured.

Jim Fregosi (POR). 286/356/435; 16 2B.
Derek Jeter (NYY). 278/325/393; 17 2B.
Dick Lundy (SFS). 278/292/421.
Arky Vaughan (HOM). 223/340/327.

Left Fielders

Even with his numbers dropping over the past few weeks, Babe Ruth of the New York Black Yankees is the dominant player here. There is a bit of a drop after Ruth, with possible arguments being made for Philadelphia’s Rico Carty and Portland’s Harry Hooper. None of those three players bring much defensively, and taking that into consideration, Brooklyn’s Roy White and Homestead’s Rick Reichardt, and perhaps San Francisco’s Rickey Henderson enter the conversation.

Finally, there is the Albert Belle conundrum: his numbers are beyond impressive, but he’s not played a lot of innings.

Albert Belle (NYY). 315/377/558; 18 2B.
Rico Carty (PHI). 287/354/470; 25 2B.
Rickey Henderson (SFS). 261/398/370; 52 R; 50 SB.
Harry Hooper (POR). 297/399/418; 45 R.
Rick Reichardt (HOM). 284/372/436; 42 RBI.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 305/413/649; 24 HR; 16 2B; 67 RBI; 58 R.
Roy White (BRK). 284/352/451; 17 2B.

Center Fielders

Now things get a little more interesting.

Bobby Murcer (Portland) is the clear starter, but an argument can be made for another four players behind him: San Francisco’s Bobby Bonds, Brooklyn’s Duke Snider, and the Davis twins–New York’s Eric Davis and Philadelphia’s Willie Davis–are all fairly indistinguishable. Eric was once considered the lock starter, but has slumped recently, but he is still certain to make the squad.

Eric Davis and Snider have been among the better defenders, bolstering each of their arguments as well.

Bobby Bonds (SFS). 314/364/531; 26 SB.
Eric Davis (NYY). 286/337/557; 22 HR; 66 RBI; 55 R; 35 SB.
Willie Davis (PHI). 299/358/537.
Bobby Murcer (POR). 327/402/567; 15 2B; 48 RBI; 46 R.
Duke Snider (BRK). 327/363/548; 16 HR; 44 RBI.

Right Field

The starter is the most obvious selection of all: triple-crown threat Reggie Jackson of the San Francisco Seals earns the honor. Behind Jackson, New York’s Mickey Mantle and Miami’s José Canseco are the clear choices, with Homestead’s Roberto Clemente forcing himself into the conversation over the last few weeks.

José Canseco (MCG). 295/365/502; 41 R.
Roberto Clemente (HOM). 309/336/486; 15 2B; 40 RBI.
Reggie Jackson (SFS). 356/453/648; 16 2B; 16 HR; 44 R.
Mickey Mantle (NYY). 292/399/456; 48 R.

Starting Pitchers

Red Ruffing of the New York Black Yankees has come out of nowhere to be in the conversation for the starting slot for the AL with a 9-2 record. San Francisco’s Lefty Grove is close behind at 8-2, and several pitchers have 7 wins. Brooklyn’s Don Drysedale leads the AL in ERA among starters, and Cleveland’s workhorse Cy Young leads in WHIP. So those four feel pretty solid. Two more Black Yankees–Waite Hoyt and WBL strikeout leader Ron Guidry (whose last few starts have probably moved him off the roster)–are in the conversation, as is Miami’s Camilo Pascual and Portland’s Walter Johnson.

Pascual and Guidry have losing records, making their selection harder to justify, although Pascual plays for a bad team, making that less of an issue for him.

Finally, Tim Hudson of the Birmingham Black Barons has forced his way onto the roster, despite being a few inning short of qualifying as a starting pitcher. Going 5-0 with an ERA under 3.00 and a WHIP under 1.00 will do that.

Don Drysedale (BRK). 5-3; 3.23; 1.19 WHIP.
Lefty Grove (SFS). 8-2; 3.49; 1.30 WHIP.
Ron Guidry (NYY). 5-6; 4.27; 1.25 WHIP.
Waite Hoyt (NYY). 5-1; 3.51; 1.22 WHIP.
Tim Hudson (BBB). 5-0; 2.73; 0.93 WHIP.
Walter Johnson (POR). 7-3; 3.83 ERA; 1.30 WHIP.
Camilo Pascual (MCG). 4-6; 3.42; 1.27 WHIP.
Red Ruffing (NYY). 9-2; 3.79; 1.32 WHIP.
Cy Young (CLE). 6-3; 3.54; 1.17 WHIP.

Relief Pitchers

For the closers, WBL save leader Johan Santana of Portland is an automatic choice, as are Cleveland’s Terry Adams and San Francisco’s Rod Beck. And then it becomes a matter of tradeoffs: Philadelphia’s Bob Howry‘s other numbers are great, but his ERA is over 5.00 while Brooklyn’s Watty Clark and Miami’s Aroldis Chapman have a decent number of saves, but probably fall short.

Portland’s Elmer Brown and San Francisco’s Ron Robinson have 9 Holds each, trailing Philadelphia’s Ron Reed, who has 12.

Indianapolis’ Willie Mitchell has been absolutely dominant, with an ERA barely over 1.00, but it’s hard to really choose between him, San Francisco’s Ken Howell and Charlie Root, and Portland’s Joseíto Muñoz.

Terry Adams (CLE). 0-3; 17 Sv; 2.91; 1.66 WHIP.
Rod Beck (SFS). 1-1; 16 Sv; 2.65; 1 H; 0.76 WHIP.
Elmer Brown (POR). 2-4; 4 Sv; 2.35; 9 H; 1.14 WHIP.
Aroldis Chapman (MCG). 201; 12 Sv; 1.59 ERA; 2.06 WHIP.
Watty Clark (BRK). 3-1; 13 Sv; 1.66; 1.11 WHIP.
Ken Howell (SFS). 3-3; 3 Sv; 1.45; 3 H; 0.97 WHIP.
Bob Howry (PHI). 2-3; 16 Sv; 5.04; 1.66 WHIP.
Willie Mitchell (IND). 2-2; 1 Sv; 1.08; 1 H; 1.16 WHIP.
Joseíto Muñoz (POR). 3-1; 3 Sv; 1.19; 2 H; 1.02 WHIP.
Ron Reed (PHI). 0-2; 3 Sv; 2.72; 12 H; 1.13 WHIP.
Ron Robinson (SFS). 4-1; 3.45; 9 H; 1.36 WHIP.
Charlie Root (SFS). 4-1; 2.98; 0.99 WHIP.
Johan Santana (POR). 1-1; 22 Sv; 2.57; 1 H; 1.48 WHIP.

Selections by Team

Listed alphabetically, Italic indicates a starter.

Birmingham Black Barons: Tom Herr (2B); Tim Hudson (P).
Brooklyn Royal Giants: Don Drysedale (P).
Cleveland Spiders: Terry Adams (P); Ron Blomberg (DH); Chuck Knoblauch (2B); Cy Young (P).
Homestead Grays: Mike Epstein (1B); Josh Gibson (C).
Indianapolis ABC’s: Johnny Bench (C)
Miami Cuban Giants: José Canseco (RF)
New York Black Yankees. Eric Davis (CF); Lou Gehrig (1B); Derek Jeter (SS); Mickey Mantle (RF); Thurman Munson (C); Red Ruffing (P); Babe Ruth (LF).
Philadelphia Stars: Ron Reed (P); Scott Rolen (3B).
Portland Sea Dogs: Buddy Bell (3B); Jim Fregosi (SS); Kent Hrbek (1B); Joe Mauer (C); Bobby Murcer (CF); Johan Santana (P).
San Francisco Sea Lions: Rod Beck (P); Lefty Grove (P); Rickey Henderson (LF); Ken Howell (P); Reggie Jackson (RF); Charlie Root (P).

TWIWBL 20.4: Series XVII Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On January 14, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

Del Crandall threw out 4 runners in a 13 inning loss against Houston.

A first inning grand slam from Troy Tulowitzki was all Vic Willis needed in a 6-0 victory over Houston. Willis allowed 4 hits and whiffed 8 in 8 innings, lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.70 and picking up his first victory of the year.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Called on to make a rare start, Eustaquio Pedroso turned in 5 strong innings before a rain delay of just over an hour chased him from the game. Miami hit four homeruns, with José Canseco, Alan Ashby, Manny Machado, and Ryan Braun each going deep and Roenis Elías and Clay Condrey pitched 4 innings of 1-run ball after the rain stopped as the Cuban Giants defeated the House of David, 9-3.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Pedro Guerrero, Reggie Jackson, and Jack Clark hit back-to-back-to-back homeruns in the 5th inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Sea Lions couldn’t stop Los Angeles’ offense in an 8-6 loss.

Despite blowing the save in the top of the inning, a walk-off double from Bob Cerv gave Rod Beck the victory in a 5-4 victory for the Sea Lions over the Angels. Miguel Cairo stole 3 bases and scored 2 runs, including the game-winner, but the real star for San Francisco was Charlie Root, who pitched a very strong 8 innings, but didn’t figure into the decision.

Jackson had 3 hits and 5 RBI’s in a 9-4 victory over Los Angeles. Bobby Bonds also had 3 hits, and Jackson and Guerrero went deep. Lefty Grove improved to 8-2 with 11 strikeouts in 6 innings.

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview II – Right Fielders

By mknn

On October 7, 2021

In All Star Games

{ With under three weeks until the All Star Teams are announced, we’re looking at what’s changed since our original previews. }

Preview I here.

#AL – Bill James & Cum Posey Divisions

Original Selections: Ted Williams, Joe Jackson, Stan Musial.

Nothing has changed from the original discussion. It’s all about sorting through Memphis’ Williams, Chicago’s Jackson, Kansas City’s Musial, and Detroit’s Ty Cobb. In the first preview, I was able to use Cobb’s fewer innings played as the differentiator; now that’s no longer an issue. So, how do you decide between

Cobb: .958 OPS
Jackson: 1.054 OPS, 14 HR, 45 RBI
Musial: 1.012 OPS
Williams: .920 OPS, 12 HR

Cobb has still played less than the others, but Williams’ recent mini-slump is an issue. At the end of the day, all four should make it, but keeping it to three, right now I would have Jackson as the starter, with Musial and Cobb.

The AI picks all four.

#NL – Effa Manley & Marvin Miller Divisions

Original Selections: Ron Blomberg, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle.

San Francisco’s Jackson’s run at the triple crown makes him the obvious starter in this group: a 1.134 OPS will tend to do that. That slides him ahead of Cleveland’s Blomberg, but his 13 homeruns and 1.054 OPS keep him as a selection, for sure.

The final spot is harder to assign. Miami has very few bright spots, and Jose Canseco is one of them with an .828 OPS. If he ends up being the Cuban Giants sole representative, that wouldn’t be too horrible. But the Black Yankees’ Mantle has outhit Canseco, with an OPS roughly .030 higher. And, Indianapolis’ Oscar Charleston continues to linger on the edge of the conversation, with an OPS at .800 and the best defense in right field in the league.

Currently, I would stick with Jackson, Blomberg, and Mantle, but I think that could change. The AI selects Jackson and Blomberg, along with Bobby Bonds, who made it as CF in our selections.