Tag: Luke Hamlin

TWIWBL 6.4: Series V Notes – Marvin Miller Division

On May 26, 2021

#Birmingham Black Barons

John Clarkson fell to 1-2 with a miserable outing against the Cleveland Spiders, giving up 7 earned runs in under 3 IP and sending his ERA to 12.74. Jim Whitney was ineffective in relief, and Dick Rudolph‘s 2.2 scoreless IP may have been enough to slide him into the rotation. With only three rotation spots settled, look for those three, Greg Maddux, and Sam Streeter to get opportunities starting for Birmingham.

OF Al Schweitzer, who had a solid start to the season slashing 267/389/422 will be out over a month with a hamstring strain, with Curtis Granderson being promoted to Birmingham to take his roster spot.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Jackie Robinson‘s first HR of the year was a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 7th against Indianapolis, providing the winning margin in a 3-1 victory for the Royal Giants.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Rube Waddell, Eustaquio Pedroso, Ed Bauta, and Aroldis Chapman combined for a 6-hit shutout of the Baltimore Black Sox, with Waddell moving to 1-1 on the year with the 4-0 Cuban Giants victory.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Gil Hodges became the first player in the WBL to swat 3 HRs in a single game, sending 3 balls out of the park against Philadelphia‘s Pete Alexander in a 7-4 win for the Sea Dogs.

Walter Johnson threw 8 strong innings to become the league’s first four game winner, leading the Sea Dogs over Philadelphia 4-1.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Wally Moon may have defined Moonshot, sending a pitch from Kansas City‘s Luke Hamlin 502 feet into the night, helping San Francisco eke out a 7-6 victory.

Capping a 3-for-4 day, Reggie Jackson tagged Kansas City’s Frank DiPino with his first earned runs of the year with a 2-out, 2-run HR, 9th inning HR to give the Sea Lions a 3-2 lead. Rick Langford debuted with three innings of scoreless relief for the victory, and Rod Beck pitched a perfect bottom of the 9th for his 6th save of the season.

TWIWBL 5.4: Series IV Notes – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On May 14, 2021

In TWIWBL

Baltimore and Kansas City are tied atop the division at 12-6, with the Chicago American Giants a few games back at 9-9. Houston has lost 5 in a row, falling 4th, only a game ahead of cellar-dwelling Ottawa (6-12).

Leading Starter: Luke Hamlin, KAN, 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP.
Leading Reliever: Jeff Pfeffer, KAN, 5 SV, 0.90 ERA.
Leading Batters: Dan McGann, BAL, 358/443/623; Joe Jackson, CAG, 351/443/608, 5 HRs, 18 RBs; Frank Thomas, CAG, 343/425/600, 5 HRs, 21 RBIs; Eddie Collins, CAG, 343/470/552, 18 R, 11 SBs.

#Baltimore Black Sox

Bill Byrd was magnificent in Baltimore’s opening game against Brooklyn, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk in 8 IP. Unfortunately, he left the game trailing 1-0, but was spared the loss when Frank Robinson tied it up in the 9th inning. A walk-off HR from Ken Singleton won the game for the Black Sox.

Richie Sexson–at one point in consideration to make the big league roster–was demoted from AAA to AA Charlotte.

#Chicago American Giants

Just look at those leaders: Thomas, Jackson, and Collins are probably the hottest trio in the league right now.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Houston has a bit of a bullpen problem heading into their next series, leading to the Colt 45’s placing Mike Hartley on the IL and demoting Ice Box Chamberlain to AAA (he was quickly moved to AA by the management staff in San Antonio in favor of Boots Poffenberger–yep, Ice Box for Boots transaction there) with Stubby Overmire and Leon Day returning to the WBL. Ismael Valdez and Jim Kaat moved from AAA to AA as well.

The rotation is likely to be a bit up in the air over the next series or two.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Stan Musial hit 3 doubles in a game for the 2nd time this year, given him 8 on the season.

The Monarchs’ bullpen is pretty decimated, forcing two roster moves. First, Charles Comiskey was sent to AAA (instead of the injured list) to rest a sore elbow; second, Rex Hudler was sent down, likely only for a few days, as his demotion leaves Kansas City without an experienced SS behind Ozzie Smith. Bill Doak and Bob Gibson–who has pitched well since being demoted from Spring Training–were recalled from AAA.

#Ottawa Mounties

In his first AB of the season after an injury rehab stint at AAA, Larry Walker deposited Waite Hoyt‘s pitch over the LCF fence for a HR: that’s the way to get the home fans on your side!

More a victim of a lack of opportunity and a worn-out bullpen than anything else, Chris Leroux was sent to AAA with Jim Clancy being recalled to help shore up the rotation in the upcoming series. Reggie Cleveland was put on waivers to make room for Clancy on the 40 man roster.

Karl Spooner–who went into Spring Training as the closer–was released.

TWIWBL 4.1: Notes from Series III

By mknn

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.

Season Preview: Kansas City Monarchs

By mknn

On August 21, 2020

In Team News

Kansas City feels like a team more for the future than the present. The pitching staff looks strong enough, led by Andy Pettite, but there are some questions about the bullpen as a whole. The lineup is potent, and the trio of Rogers Hornsby, Stan Musial, and Albert Pujols should provide some elite offense.

Final Roster

SP: Andy Petite, Frank Castillo, Rube Marquard, Luke Hamlin, Jose Rijo.
RP: Adam Wainwright & Connie Johnson; Charlie Comiskey & Craig Kimbrel; Trevor Rosenthal & Frank DiPino; Jeff Pfeffer.

C: Salvador Perez; Ted Simmons
1B: Boog Powell; Andre Thornton
2B: Rogers Hornsby; Rex Hudler
3B: Albert Pujols
SS: Ozzie Smith
LF: Lou Brock
CF: Fielder Jones & Willie McGee
RF: Stan Musial
DH: Gene Freese

Notes

Jeff Pfeffer beat out Trevor Rosenthal for the closer role going into the regular season … Charlie Comiskey went from Spring Training inning eater to bullpen contributor … Salvador Perez is the starting C, with Ted Simmons‘ ability to hit from both sides of the plate salvaging his spot on the roster as the backup … Ken Oberkfell showed very well in a limited chance, but at the end of the day, Jack Rowe‘s injury forced the Monarchs to keep Rex Hudler, who can also backup Ozzie Smith at SS. Once Rowe comes off the DL in about a week, Oberkfell may be recalled … many teams would appreciate the versatility of Mark DeRosa, but with Hudler and Gene Freese, he’s really redundant for Kansas City, and starts the year in AAA … the lineups are a little fluid, but basically Andre Thornton plays 1B against RHP, Lou Brock plays LF against LHP, and Albert Pujols, Boog Powell, and Freese move around with some flexibility between LF, 3B, 1B, and DH.

This is a young team with only 6 players over 30. The 3 oldest players are all in the rotation: Rube Marquard at 34 and Luke Hamlin and Connie Johnson each at 33. There are 4 21 year olds on the opening day roster: P Frank Castillo, OFs Stan Musial and Albert Pujols, and C Ted Simmons.

If Bob Gibson can find the strike zone, he may be the 1st pitcher recalled from AAA. 2 Cs with high ceilings are also at that level: 17 year old Johnny Bassler and 21 year old Lew Brown. Down at AA, 19 year old OF Cool Papa Bell and IFs Bill Bradley and Kolten Wong look the most likely to develop into impact players.

Spring Training Preview: Kansas City

By mknn

On June 19, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

Kansas City is more “set” than most of the teams in the league, with only a few positions up for grabs, beginning with the 5th starter, who should come from the group of Joe Blong, Frank Castillo, and Luke Hamlin.
- Bob Gibson has struggled, but is still slotted to make the rotation. Blong has probably pitched himself out of the picture, with Castillo and Rube Marquard most likely to get the 5th spot.
  - This whole thing is rough now. The best SP have been Marquard, Andy Petite, Jock Menefee, and Castillo. Gibson’s stuff is apparent, and probably gives him a slot. But it’s really unclear who between Menefee, Castillo, Rijo, Hamlin, and Connie Johnson get the final 2 slots.
  - That situation moves Adam Wainwright into a long relief role, and sends Blong to AAA.
- Unexpectedly, Craig Kimbrel has struggled as the closer (3 saves, 2 losses, an ERA over 10 in 5 games), with both Jeff Pfeffer and Trevor Rosenthal making arguments for consideration for the role. Charlie Comiskey has been recalled from AAA as well.
  - It looks like closing will be split between Pfeffer and Rosenthal in the short term while Kimbrel tries to get back on track.
  - Jeremy Bonderman heads to AAA as well, with Todd Worrell coming in as middle/long relief.
After that, it’s really a matter of which reserve IFs are kept–the odds are one of Rex Hudler, Ozzie Smith, or Gene Freese start in the minors.
- This looks to be Hudler, as Freese is having a great Spring and Smith, whose glove compensates for a lot, is actually out-performing Jack Rowe at SS. The situation is complicated by Frankie Frisch‘s early struggles.
  - Freese is emerging as the leading candidate to start at 3B, while there is little to differentiate between Smith and Rowe still.
  - Ken Oberkfell has been recalled, as has Jim Bottomley.
Similarly, the final OF slot (perhaps, 2 slots) is unknown, with the competition between Lou Brock, Ducky Medwick, Willie McGee with Cool Papa Bell (due to his speed) and Mark DeRosa (due to his defensive flexibility) having outside shots as well.
- Stan Musial is yet to get going, but retains his likely starting spot. However, Steve Evans, Medwick, and Jim Edmonds are both struggling profoundly, with Edmonds being jettisoned to AAA.
  - The fact that Musial is hitting surprises noone, the fact that Fielder Jones continues to smash the ball is. Brock looks to be a solid bet for the roster, which may move both Medwick and Evens to AAA when all is said and done.
- The biggest question here is whether a team really need both Brock and Bell, especially with McGee playing fantastically?
Salvador Perez can’t stop hitting and Ted Simmons can’t start, throwing plans at C into turmoil.
- This is still true.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Andy Petite Rube Marquard	Bob Gibson	Connie Johnson Jose Rijo Luke Hamlin Jock Menafee Frank Castillo	Adam Wainwright
Middle Relievers		Craig Kimbrel	Charlie Comiskey	Todd Worrell
Setup		Adam Russell Frank DiPino
Closer		Trever Rosenthal Jeff Pfeffer
C			Ted Simmons Salvador Perez Lew Brown
1B	Boog Powell		Andre Thornton	Jim Bottomley
2B	Rogers Hornsby			Rex Hudler
3B		Gene Freese	Frankie Frisch	Ken Oberkfell
SS		Jack Rowe Ozzie Smith
OF	Albert Pujols Fielder Jones Stan Musial	Willie McGee Lou Brock	Steve Evans Ducky Medwick	Mark DeRosa Cool Papa Bell