Tag: Josh Harrison

TWIWBL 71.3: Bill James Division

On January 29, 2025

Team	W/L	Pct	GB
New York Black Yankees	52-32	.619	—
Cleveland Spiders	45-35	.563	5
Memphis Red Sox	40-42	.488	11
Detroit Wolverines	36-45	.444	14.5
Baltimore Black Sox	35-48	.422	16.5

Bill James Division | 2 July

#Baltimore Black Sox

Buddy Groom started a rehab assignment, and should be joined at AAA by Bobby Wallace later in the week. Once Groom is ready, look for him to replace the struggling John Wetteland in the Black Sox bullpen.

Connie Johnson and Justin Hampson combined on a 2-hit shutout, blanking Portland 7-0. Johnson’s record improved to 5-6 and, perhaps more importantly, he made a strong argument for some more opportunities as a starter.

As expected, Wallace was able to start a rehab assignment at AAA, joining Groom, who still needs some time there before being recalled.

#Cleveland Spiders

Hank Gastright was returned to AAA, with Firpo Marberry being recalled from his rehab assignment.

Tris Speaker went deep twice, but Cleveland couldn’t hold off Miami, falling 11-7 to the Cuban Giants.

Needing a starter, the Spiders returned Sergio Romo to AAA, recalling Wilbur Cooper. Faced in the same situation later in the week, Cooper went back down with Steve Gromek recalled to make his WBL debut.

The Spiders had themselves a day, battering Miami 21-0. Cy Young threw the complete game shutout, allowing 7 hits while fanning 9. But the story really was the offense, led by Ron Blomberg, who had 4 hits (including his 30th and 31st homeruns), drove in 6, and scored a WBL record 6 times. Evan Longoria drove in 7, and Longoria and Larry Doby each also had 4 hits. In addition to Blomberg’s 2, Longoria, Doby, and Louis Santop also hit homeruns.

Lance Berkman slammed 3 homeruns for the second time this season, but the Spiders couldn’t preserve a lead in the top of the 9th, losing to Los Angeles, 8-7.

Berkman may be the hottest hitter in the league right now, as he hit another 2 out in a game Cleveland won in the bottom of the 12th on a solo shot from Johnny Bates, triumphing over Los Angeles, 6-5.

#Detroit Wolverines

Pete Conway will miss over a month with a strained oblique muscle. Claude Passeau returned to the Wolverines’ bullpen from AAA.

Both Billy Hoeft and Mike Griffin began rehab assignments, looking to return next week. Later in the week, Buddy Napier returned to the injured list, expected to miss about a month, opening a spot for Hoeft’s return.

Justin Verlander closed the first half out strong, combining with Hoeft and Chad Bradford on a 3-hit shutout of Memphis. Al Kaline and Bob Bailey went deep for the Wolverines, and Ty Cobb had 2 hits to nudge his average back over .400 in the 7-0 victory.

#Memphis Red Sox

Derek Lowe returned to AAA with Skel Roach‘s recall from a rehab assignment.

Gabby Hartnett went deep twice, leading Memphis to a 10-5 victory over the Black Yankees. Manny Ramírez did the same, homering twice in a 7-3 win over New York with Len Barker improving to 6-9 with a solid outing.

#New York Black Yankees

That was fast. There was a lot of optimism around Roy Evans‘ promotion to the Black Yankees. 3 games, 4 IP, and a 27.00 ERA later, he’s back in AAA with AJ Burnett returning to the fold.

Could the answer to the back end of the Black Yankees’ rotation be … Herm Wehmeier? Wehmeier combined with Goose Gossage on a 4-hit shutout of Memphis, improving to 4-0 on the year with Gossage picking up his 10th save in the 9-0 whitewashing.

Eric Davis hit 2 out and Babe Ruth added his league-leading 41st as the Black Yankees rode a strong outing from Andy Pettitte to beat Baltimore, 12-2. Pettitte improved to 10-5 on the year. However, Ruth was plunked on the hip in the game, and will miss some time–thankfully, it looks like only a few days.

Mike Schmidt went deep twice and Thurman Munson and Derek Jeter joined Schmidt with 3 hits each as the Black Yankees defeated Baltimore in 10 innings.

Don Mattingly will miss about a week, prompting the Black Yankees to place him on the DL and recall Josh Harrison from AAA.

TWIWBL 56.2: Spring Training Notes – New York Black Yankees

By mknn

On February 19, 2024

In TWIWBL

Spring Training Questions

The pitching staff will be under great scrutiny, with 5th round pick Noah Syndergaard having an outside shot at the rotation.

Last season the Black Yankees were hampered by limited MI flexibility, which will be a concern they want to address.

First Cuts

Things on the mound went much as expected for New York, as Cal Eldred, Don Liddle, Paul Shuey, Frank Viola, Bill Monbouquette, and John Danks all moved on to the minor leagues. Dave Righetti remains in camp, but his control continues to be a concern. On the other side, Lefty Gomez, Noah Syndergaard, and Whitey Ford have all impressed out of the gate.

Darrin Fletcher and Benny Bengough were both reassigned, with the Black Yankees planning to take a look at Ron Pruitt behind the plate as a 4th option. Fred Whitfield and Nick Etten have impressed at 1B, with Ryan Garko being sent to the minors while at 3B Aaron Hill and Elliott Maddox have been stellar (and Héctor López quite good), while Josh Harrison and Red Rolfe were both moved to the minors.

The 2B/SS situation was quite convoluted but poor starts from Mark Grudzielanek, Jess Barbour, Charlie Irwin, and Alcides Escobar have helped clear some space as all four of those IFers were reassigned, with Willie Randolph barely hanging on to a spot in camp.

In the OF, despite there not being much room on the eventual roster, only Bill Lange was moved from the major league camp, although there are doubts as to how long Clyde Milan and Nick Swisher will stick around.

Second Cuts

Other than Jeff Nelson, the pitching has been excellent for the Black Yankees, with nobody else posting an ERA over 3.00. Nelson heads to the minors while New York tries to sort out the rest.

C Gary Alexander was recalled for some depth, and to see if his impressive power holds up against better pitching.

Nick Swisher, Willie Randolph, and Ron Pruitt were sent down as well.

Third Cuts

Lady Baldwin and Vic Raschi were sent down, clearing up the back end of the staff a bit. Whitey Ford and Sparky Lyle are next on the chopping block, depending on what they do over the next week or so.

Eric MacKenzie, Pee Wee Reese, Red Rolfe, and Roger Maris were all sent to AAA. MacKenzie’s demotion keeps Gary Alexander in camp for a while, as much for his defensive flexibility as anything else.

While the IF starters–Tom Herr, Derek Jeter, and Mike Schmidt–are pretty much set, it’s unclear how the reserves will sort out, with Aaron Hill, Héctor López, and Elliott Maddux all making cases for roster spots. Veteran Doug DeCinces looks like he may be done, but he’ll be given another week to turn it around.

Final Cuts

SS Alex Arias was the first to go, in a move that would seem to indicate that Aaron Hill will break camp as the backup infielder for the Black Yankees. That was followed by the demotion of P Dewey Adkins, always considered a long shot to make the opening day roster.

1B Fred Whitfield had a good Spring, but there’s just too much blocking him at 1B, moving him to AAA for the time being.

Gary Alexander was pulled into camp to take some of the load behind the plate. He showed some pop, but little else, and was moved back to AAA as was Hardy Richardson, who was outperformed throughout the Spring by several lesser regarded prospects.

Whitey Ford clearly has the arm to have a future in the WBL, but his time is yet to come as the young lefty will start the season at AAA. He’ll be joined by veteran AJ Burnett, who had a spectacular Spring but was edged out by rookie Noah Syndergaard for the last spot on New York’s staff.

Aaron Hill was sent to AAA, cementing roster spots for Héctor López and Elliott Maddox and, perhaps surprisingly, sending veteran 3B Doug DeCinces (who was adequate as Mike Schmidt‘s backup last season) down as well. Maddox and López were retained partially for their defensive flexibility, pushing both Clyde Milan and recent acquisition Mickey Rivers to the minors.

All of that meant that Spring surprise Nick Etten starts the season with the Black Yankees.

Oh yeah … Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig made the team …

TWIWBL 42.1: Series XXXIV Notes – Roster Expansion

By mknn

On July 10, 2023

In TWIWBL

Here are the call ups as rosters expanded from 24 to 32 for all teams.

#Baltimore Black Sox

Bob Miller was activated from the DL, and P’s Lindy McDaniel, Rafael Betancourt, and Milt Pappas; OF Chick Stahl; and IF Miller Huggins and Cal Ripken were all recalled.

#Birmingham Black Barons

OF Billy Southworth was recalled from a rehab assignment. With Birmingham’s AAA team in the playoffs, the Black Barons reached down to AA for P Eric Gunderson.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

OFs John Briggs and Art Griggs were activated from the DL. With Queens still in the AAA playoff chase, other recalls will wait a few days.

#Chicago American Giants

Ps Nate Jones, Fernando Rodney, and Frank Smith; OF Magglio Ordóñez and Rocky Colavito; IF Luke Appling and Damian Jackson.

#Cleveland Spiders

IF Bill Dahlen was activated from the DL; Ps Tyler Walker, Stan Bahnsen, and Bob Feller; IF Hal Trosky and Evan Longoria; OF Larry Doby.

#Detroit Wolverines

Ps Jason Schmidt, Roberto Hernández, and Whitey Wilshere; IF Robby Thompson and Cecil Fielder; OF Ron LeFlore and Jody Gerut.

#Homestead Grays

P Earl Hamilton was activated from the DL; Ps Babe Adams, Frank Linzy, and Mychal Givens; IF Kevin Young and Chris Sabo; OF Max Carey.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Ps Tom Sturdivant, Mike Hartley, and Scott Erickson; C Jason Castro, IF Paul Goldschmidt; OF Shin-Soo Choo and Hunter Pence.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

With AAA Cincinnati still in the playoff hunt, the ABC’s reached down to AA to recall P Chris Hammond and OF Adam Dunn.

#Kansas City Monarchs

P Frank Castillo was recalled from a rehab assignment; with St. Louis still in the hunt at AAA, P Evan Meek and IF Gene Freese were recalled from AA.

#Los Angeles Angels

P Brett Anderson was activated from the DL. Ps Jeurys Familia and Chuck Finley; IF Tim Wallach; OF Hi Myers.

#Memphis Red Sox

P Lance Broadway from AA with more to come after AAA New Orleans finishes their season.

#Miami Cuban Giants

IF Martín Dihigo was activated from a rehab assignment; Ps Steve Brown and Dontrelle Willis; C Smoky Burgess; IF Bert Campaneris; OF Yasiel Puig and Sandy Amorós.

#New York Black Yankees

Ps Bryan Hickerson, AJ Burnett, and Dave Righetti; IF Art Howe and Josh Harrison; OF Roger Maris.

#New York Gothams

P Carson Smith was recalled from a rehab assignment and P Brian Wilson was activated from the DL. With both Hartford (AAA) and Troy (AA) either in the hunt or in the postseason, the Gothams will wait to make further moves.

#Ottawa Mounties

P Ted Bowsfield, IF Álex Rodríguez, and OF Larry Walker were all activated from the DL. P Sean O’Sullivan from AA, with additional moves coming after Montréal’s season concludes.

#Philadelphia Stars

Ps Fritz Coumbe, Danny Barnes, Wayne Gomes, and J.M. Ward; IF Juan Samuel and Jimmy Rollins; OF Marlon Byrd.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Superhero Greg Litton and P Pascual Pérez were recalled from rehab assignments; Ps Frank Williams and Jerry Koosman; OF José González and Ruben Sierra; IF Rafael Palmiero.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

The Sea Lions are waiting until the AAA San Jose Bees complete their season to make their moves.

#Wandering House of David

IF Bunny Downs and OF Joe Harris were activated from the DL. Ps Rick Reuschel and Ferguson Jenkins, IF Jung Ho Kang and Cap Anson; OF Tony Conigliaro.