Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Kirk Reuter

TWIWBL 55.2: Offseason Notes – Cum Posey Division

#Baltimore Black Sox

At 41, Dick Hall‘s decent year at AAA was more surprising than his retirement announcement.

Some bad news from the medical staff: Sean Marshall, who was stellar over about half the season for Baltimore, will require surgery on his injured shoulder, putting him out through at least the middle of the season.

And, some very, very good news on the free agent front: Gavvy Cravath, easily the pick of the free agents this winter, signed with Baltimore, with the 35 year old OF/DH joining the Black Sox on a 3 year, $39M deal.

Baltimore released reliever BJ Ryan after he refused to be removed from the 40 man roster.

The Black Sox decided Aaron Heilman is worth a flier despite his significant struggles in the WBL last season, signing the free agent to a 3 year deal.

#Chicago American Giants

The American Giants announced 2 retirements at the close of the AAA season: Jason Isringhausen was effective in his 5 innings of work, but it was only 5 innings. More notably, Koji Uehara, who put in 32 highly ineffective innings with Chicago at the start of the year, decided to hang them up as well.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Houston decided to take a flier on Kent Tekulve as they try to revive a struggling bullpen.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Buck Fausett–predictably nicknamed Leaky–had a decent year at AA (4-2, 3.57 in 29 relief appearances). But at 36 he saw that making the WBL was unlikely, and decided to retire.

RP Jesse Haines retired at the end of the AAA season.

#Ottawa Mounties

P Turk Lown retired.

In a bit of a surprise move, the Mounties released 3B Anthony Rendon. They also released Ps Joe Mays and Kirk Reuter, who had appeared at the WBL level last season, but those moves were expected.

Even more of a shock was 3B Larry Parrish‘s decision to walk away from the game. Parrish wasn’t an all-star, but he was certainly part of the conversation at the hot corner as the Mounties moved into the season.

Series XXXIII Best Games

We have more good pitching than usual in the best games of Series XXXIII.

We’ll start with the opening and closing game from a series with potentially massive playoff implications.

#Birmingham Black Barons @ New York Gothams, Games 1 and 5

Birmingham’s Greg Maddux wasn’t bad: just over 6 innings and only 2 runs allowed. The problem was the Gothams’ Christy Mathewson was stellar, picking up his league-leading 16th win of the season by throwing a 3-hit shutout over 7 innings. Maddux left the game after allowing an RBI single to Will Clark, replaced by Kent Mercker who gave up a deep flyball to the pinch-hitting Carl Furillo, scoring another run.

Hank Aaron took Robb Nen deep in the 8th to cut the lead in half, but Mike Norris (pushed into service due to Brian Wilson‘s injury) picked up his 6th save of the year, allowing only a walk in the 9th.

BBB 1 (Maddux 4-5) @ NYG 2 (Mathewson 16-7; Norris 6 Sv; Nen 11 H)
HRs: BBB – Aaron (25); NYG – none.
Box Score

The Gothams turned to Don Sutton for a spot start, and the 24 year old was simply brilliant … but it wasn’t enough. Sutton gave up 1 run–a solo shot by Aaron–through 7 innings, and while New York’s bullpen beckoned, Sutton was still well under 90 pitches. But with 2 outs in the 8th, Cupid Childs took him deep and Aaron launched his second of the game, edging Birmingham in front, 3-2.

Birmingham’s closer, Juan Rincón, allowed only 1 hit in the 9th, closing out the victory for the Black Barons.

NYG 2 (Sutton 2-4) @ BBB 3 (Whitney 1-2; Rincón 22 Sv)
HRs: NYG – Higgins (13); BBB – Aaron 2 (27), Childs (4).
Box Score

Two more good games with good pitching!

#Memphis Red Sox @ Detroit Wolverines, Game 1

Through six innings, the only score was a solo shot from Memphis’ Manny Ramírez. That was one of only 2 hits allowed by Detroit’s Gene Conley over his 7 innings, further cementing Conley’s adaptation from reliever to starter over the season. Buddy Napier gave up an unearned run in the top of the 8th, putting the Red Sox in front, 2-0.

Memphis’ Stubby Overmire was nearly as good: a shutout through 6, a single run in the 7th on an RBI single from Chili Davis, and finally being chased in the 8th after giving up 2 hits and a walk. Overmire’s relief, Tim Wakefield, gave up a sacrifice fly to Hank Greenberg tying the game at 2.

It stayed that way until the top of the 10th, when Memphis’ Claude Ritchey took John Hiller deep. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect inning in the bottom of the frame, fanning Greenberg to end the game.

MEM 3 (Wakefield 6-7, 2 B Sv; Papelbon 13 Sv) @ DET 2 (Hiller 3-3) [10 Innings]
HRs: MEM – Ramírez (15), Ritchey (8); DET – none.
Box Score

Baltimore Black Sox @ Indianapolis ABC’s, Game 3

Baltimore’s pitching is just hard to gain traction against: Connie Johnson, John Wetteland, and the suddenly resurgent Buddy Groom limited Indianapolis to 5 hits, 2 of which were solo homers by the ABC’s Danny Hoffman. Indianapolis got a good start from Willie Mitchell (2 runs in 6.2 innings), but in the end superstars gonna’ superstar: Frank Robinson took Rob Dibble deep in the top of the 9th with a 2-run shot, his 33rd of the year, to provide the winning margin for Baltimore.

BBB 4 (Wetteland 3-0, 2 B Sv; Groom 5 Sv) @ IND 2 (Mullane 1-1)
HRs: Robinson (33); Hoffman 2 (15).
Box Score

And now back to our usual see-saw slugfests.

#Portland Sea Dogs @ Ottawa Mounties, Game 1

The scoring started fairly innocuously: Ottawa’s Tim Raines led off the bottom of the first with a single, was bunted to second, then scored on a Roy Sievers single (helped along by an error).

Portland took the lead in the 3rd on a 2-run shot by Gavvy Cravath, then Ottawa took it back, scoring twice on back-to-back doubles from Rusty Staub and Sievers, giving the Mounties a 3-2 edge. A George Burns double drove in 2, extending it to 5-2 in the bottom of the 4th.

But, Portland roared back: a 2 run single from Jeff Burroughs chased Ottawa’s starter, Kirk Reuter, from the game, and Jim Fregosi drove in 2 more later in the inning, putting the Sea Dogs back on top, 6-5. The lead would reach 9-5 on Cravath’s 2nd homerun of the day and RBI’s from Buddy Bell (a bases loaded walk) and Gil Hodges (a sacrifice fly).

But Ottawa had also caught on to the utility of the long ball: Larry Parrish and Roberto Alomar both went deep in the bottom of the 6th, cutting the gap to 9-8.

Portland added 2 in the following inning via 2 hits and a walk, but Ottawa was unleashed: Sievers scored on an unlikely triple by Gary Carter and a 2-run shot from Carlos Beltrán. Suddenly, we were tied at 11.

Tired of running, Carter ended the game with a walkoff homerun leading off the bottom of the 9th.

Burroughs had 4 hits and he and Cravath drove in 3 each for Portland. Burns had 4 hits for Portland, and Sievers added 3.

POR 11 (Porterfield 3-1; Hammaker 2 B Sv) @ OTT 12 (Holland 6-2)
HRs: POR – Cravath 2 (6); OTT – Parrish (6), Alomar (3), Beltrán (10), Carter (17).
Box Score

#Los Angeles Angels @ Houston Colt 45’s, Game 2

With Harry Howell sailing along on the mound, the Angels had a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th, with the key hit being a solo homerun by Mike Trout. Houston scored 1 in the inning, but Tom Seaver and Jonny Venters were excellent in relief of Howell, allowing Los Angeles to send out their closer, Joe Nathan, for the bottom of the 9th.

Nathan was rough: Casey Stengel walked as a pinch-hitter, Tony Gwynn singled, Jim Wynn doubled in a run, and Jeff Bagwell tied the game with a sacrifice fly, sending us to extra innings.

José Reyes drove in a run in the top of the 11th, but Pete Hill singled in Gwynn, who had doubled, in the bottom of the frame to keep the game going. Which it did, until the 14th, when Bagwell was hit by a pitch. HR Johnson pinch-ran, stole second, and scored on a walk-off single by George Brett.

Trout, Gwynn, and Wynn each had 3 hits in the game, which was rough for Houston’s staff, as both Bones Ely and Tug McGraw were forced to leave with injuries. McGraw’s was especially unfortunate, as the young lefthander was on the brink of being named the Colt 45’s closer for the rest of the season.

The game also saw Los Angeles’ Wally Backman get a hit in his first WBL at-bat.

LAA 4 (Vargas 1-2; Seaver 1 H; Venters 15 H; Nathan 8 B Sv; Anderson 2 B Sv) @ HOU 5 (Clemens 4-1) [14 Innings]
HRs: LAA – Trout (17); HOU – none.
Box Score

TWIWBL 37.2: Series XXIX Notes – Cum Posey Division

#Baltimore Black Sox

The hits keep coming for Baltimore’s pitching staff as Sean Marshall–perhaps the most effective reliever in the league–will miss about 7 months with a shoulder injury. AAA closer BJ Ryan was recalled.

#Chicago American Giants

Carlton Fisk hit 2 homeruns including a grand slam to lead Chicago to a 7-4 victory over Los Angeles. Fisk drove in 5, Eddie Collins had 3 hits, and the just-recalled Kevin Mitchell went 2-for-4.

Here’s one way to win a game in extra innings: 5 walks, an HBP, a wild pitch, 2 singles, and a 3-run homerun from Joe Jackson. All in all, 9 runs, and a 15-6 victory over Los Angeles in 11 innings.

#Houston Colt 45s

Pete Hill was hit in the head, and will miss a week or two with concussion like symptoms. Harry Stovey was recalled from AAA, with hopes of improving the power off the bench for Houston.

The rest of the series against Philadelphia was a showcase for Houston’s pitching. First, Toad Ramsey allowed 1 run in 7 innings. Tug McGraw–yet to be scored on in the WBL–pitched a perfect 8th and Billy Wagner picked up his 16th save in the 2-1 victory.

The next day, Stephen Strasburg, Chad Qualls, and Brad Lidge combined on a 5-hit shutout (all singles). Craig Biggio drove in 3 of Houston’s 4 runs, 2 on his 6th homerun of the season.

Finally, Houston’s 5-2 win over the Stars ended up transforming the Colt 45’s pitching staff: Bones Ely struck out 7 in 3 innings, but left the game hurt. Dock Ellis and Scott Erickson have also pitched themselves out of the WBL, with Jim Kern, Ice Box Chamberlain, and Kyle Kendrick being recalled.

#Ottawa Mounties

A Larry Walker shot in the top of the 5th seemed to make the game safe, but Ottawa needed a three run homer from Carlos Beltrán in the top of the 9th to cement the victory over the House of David. Greg Holland got the win after a solid start from Kirk Reuter.

TWIWBL 36.2: Series XXVIII Notes – Cum Posey Division

#Baltimore Black Sox

Newcomer Connie Johnson steps into the rotation, with Johnny Sain moving to the bullpen and Jim Palmer taking the final spot in the rotation. Lindy McDaniel was returned to AAA.

#Chicago American Giants

While Sonny Dixon‘s injury is still being diagnosed, David Price‘s arrival pushed Chicago to place Dixon on the DL. Clay Condrey‘s 9.00 plus ERA earned a trip to AAA as Hoyt Wilhelm returned from his injury. Price replaced Don Newcombe in the rotation, but the bullpen remains in a bit of disarray as the American Giants await AJ Minter‘s return from shoulder soreness.

While neither have impressed, José Abreu‘s continued struggles at the plate have opened the door for Magglio Ordóñez to receive more playing time down the stretch.

Dixon will miss about 8 months, so the early trip to the DL worked out, from that perspective …

Turns out it’s really hard to overcome 4 errors. Price’s first start was brilliant: 4 hits in just under 6 innings, no earned runs … but 5 runs allowed on miscues by Eddie Collins, Jack Doyle (2), and Jackie Hayes. Ed Walsh and Scott Radinsky were solid in relief, but Wilhelm gave up some key hits and took the loss. Doyle had 4 hits in the game.

Cristóbal Torriente will miss about 2 weeks, prompting Chicago to recall Kevin Mitchell from AAA.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Chad Qualls was recalled from AAA. Other than that, there’s not much change in Houston, other than the continued attempt to spread out plate appearances. This time, Pete Hill seeing more game time means George Brett seeing less.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Adam Russell and Rube Marquard were recalled from AAA, but the Monarchs did little else to reflect their build for the future outlook.

#Ottawa Mounties

Bob Moose and Kirk Reuter moved into the rotation with Clark Griffith heading back to AAA and Greg Holland joining the big league club as the merry-go-round of the Mounties’ staff continues.

Nineteen year old Ken Griffey, Jr. has done everything Ottawa has asked since his demotion, performing well at both AAA and AA. He’s been brought back up to the WBL club as Ottawa retools to see how its youth will progress. Griffey, Jr. will split time with Carlos Beltrán in CF. Trade acquisition George Burns also lands in Ottawa with both Terry Puhl and Phil Bradley heading to AAA in a major reset of the big league OF.

Things looked bleak for Ottawa as Birmingham had the lead 3-0 in the bottom of the 8th when Larry Parrish stepped up and launched his 3rd homerun of the year to tie the game. Randy Johnson and Greg Holland both pitched well in relief, and Beltrán won the game in the 12th with a walkoff grandslam. Tim Raines (who was caught stealing twice) and Anthony Rendon had 3 hits each in the 8-4 victory.

Jeremy Affeldt, a bit of a throw-in at the trade deadline, has been horrible for Ottawa: an ERA over 20 level horrible. So when he refused a demotion to AAA, the Mounties made the sensible move: they released him. Gary Peters was recalled from his injury rehab to take Affeldt’s place.

TWIWBL 33.2: Series XXVI Notes – Cum Posey Division

#Baltimore Black Sox

Ned Garvin giving up 3 runs in 4 innings is rare: this time there was a cause, as the leading Cy Young contender left the Black Sox’ game against Detroit with an elbow injury. While Baltimore’s staff is deep, losing Garvin for any length of time would certainly hurt.

The news was about as bad as can be imagined, with Garvin out for the next 10 months with an elbow injury. Lindy McDaniel was recalled from AAA, with Jim Palmer sliding into the Black Sox rotation.

#Kansas City Monarchs

The news on Smokey Joe Wood was not good, as the pitcher will miss the rest of the season with nerve damage.

A mammoth, 511 ft grand slam from Boog Powell led the way as the Monarchs blew apart a pitcher duel with an 11 run 7th inning, beating Memphis 12-2. Ducky Medwick added 3 hits and Medwick, Ted Simmons, and Jack Rowe each drove in 2. Perhaps as importantly, although not involved in the decision, Bob Gibson threw 6 scoreless innings as he returned to the WBL after dominating AAA.

#Ottawa Mounties

Joe Mays not only lost his spot as the #5 starter, he lost his roster spot. An ERA north of 8 will tend to do that. Kirk Reuter was recalled.

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