Tag: Manny Sanguillén

Series XXI Best Games

On June 29, 2022

Five games made the list for Series XXI. We’ll give the detailed treatment to a great comeback, but the others all have some noteworthy moments.

#Indianapolis @ Memphis, Game 2

Just another see-saw …

A solo homerun by Mookie Betts and a 2 run shot by Ted Williams were the key hits as the Red Sox jumped out to a 7-0 lead. A 2-run homerun by Danny Hoffman and a triple from Oscar Charleston made it 7-3, and then, in the 7th inning, another homerun from Hoffman and a key, 2-0ut, 2-run shot from Johnny Bench brought the ABC’s within 1 run at 7-6. Reggie Smith added a solo shot off Lefty James, making it 8-6 heading to the top of the 9th.

Memphis brought in Jonathan Papelbon to close it out, which was certainly a reasonable choice. Tommy Helms led off the inning with a single, but a groundout by Hoffman seemed to set Memphis on the road to victory.

And then, Edd Roush and Charleston singled to load the bases and Bench cleared them with a double. A single by Dave Henderson scored Bench, and another by Denis Menke chased Papelbon from the game with Indianapolis having come all the way back to take the lead 10-8. Rob Dibble dominated the bottom of the frame, and the ABC’s had a great comeback win under their belt.

IND 10 (James 5-1, Dibble 16 Sv) @ MEM 8 (Papelbon 0-4, 2 BSv; Cicotte 1 H; Farrell 3 H)
HRs: IND – Hoffman 2 (11), Bench (17); MEM – Betts (6), Williams (18), Smith (11).
Box Score

#Ottawa @ Philadelphia, Game 2

A mismatch on paper as a tough Philadelphia lineup faces Joe Mays in his WBL debut. Tim Raines opened the game with homerun for Ottawa, but after that it went pretty much according to form, with Mays surrendering back-to-back-to-back homeruns in the 1st (José Ramírez, Rico Carty, and Scott Rolen) and then being chased from the game by back-to-back doubles in the 4th. Ottawa turned to Randy Johnson in relief, and the Big Unit delivered with a couple effective innings. Ottawa scored 7 runs in 2 innings to take the lead in a game with decimated bullpens. It was dicey throughout–Greg Holland, just recalled from AAA, had been hammered at the WBL level earlier in the year. But he gave the Mounties a good inning, and was followed by Ryan Dempster, asked to close the game. Dempster did so, but only when Raines threw out J.M. Ward at home for the final out. Larry Walker finished with 3 hits including his 8th homerun for the Mounties.

OTT 8 (Johnson 2-4; Dempster 2 Sv; Holland 3 H) @ PHI 7 (Cormier 4-1, 3 BSv; Laskey 1 H)
HRs: OTT – Raines (10), Walker (8); Ramírez (4), Carty (9), Kluszewski (14), Davis (14).
Box Score

#New York Gothams @ Brooklyn, Game 2

A tight pitching duel: Brooklyn’s Dick Redding was as good as the Gotham’s Christy Mathewson, but New York managed a sacrifice fly and a well-timed single by Eugenio Suárez to lead, 2-0. It was enough: Mathewson allowed 7 hits through 7 innings, but was dominant, fanning 11 and allowing only a solo shot from Duke Snider. Robb Nen and Brian Wilson slammed the door in relief to preserve the narrow victory.

NYG 2 (Mathewson 9-6; Wilson 13 Sv; Nen 4 H) @ BRK 1 (Redding 0-3)
HRs: BRK – Snider (19).
Box Score

#Miami @ Portland, Game 2

Portland only managed 2 hits, but leveraged 3 Miami errors and 10 walks by Cuban Giant hurlers to score 5 runs. Four of the runs scored off a chain of 2 walks, a double by Rogers Hornsby, and then 2 more walks and a wild pitch. The winning run in the bottom of the 9th was scored on a sacrifice fly from Joe Mauer after Adrián Beltré delivered a pinch-hit single. Eustaquio Pedroso‘ pitching line wasn’t pretty, but he was really let down by Phenomenal Smith‘s wildness, and Pedroso’s start was actually a source of some encouragement for Miami.

MCG 4 (Bauta 1-4; Smith 1 BSv) @ POR 5 (Williams 2-1)
HRs: MCG – Braun (11), Sheffield (3).
Box Score

#Birmingham @ New York Black Yankees, Game 4

We had to put something in here for the shocking performance of the Black Yankees in this series, who came into the final game desperately trying to avoid a sweep by the Black Barons having only scored 3 runs total over the first 3 games.

New York took the lead in the bottom of the 1st on a 2-run shot by Don Mattingly and extended it to 3-0 on a solo shot by Manny Sanguillén in the 5th. And that seemed plenty as Ron Guidry was dominant in his best start since early in the season, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk through 7 innings while striking out 7.

But then came the 8th. Guidry gave up back to back walks and a single to load the bases and was clearly out of gas, relieved by Ralph Citarella, who let the wheels fall of: an error and a wild pitch scored runs, and then RBI singles from Curtis Granderson, Bob Nieman, and Pie Traynor chased Citarella with Birmingham holding a 6-3 lead.

Granderson added a 2-run inside-the-park-homerun in the 9th, giving plenty of cushion even when Albert Belle got 2 runs back in the final frame with his 10th homerun of the year. Vic Willis continued the strong start to his career, striking out 9 in 6 innings despite not factoring in the decision and Bruce Chen was nearly perfect over 2 innings in relief for the win, sealing the most surprising series sweep of the season.

BBB 8 (Chen 1-0) @ NYY 5 (Citarella 1-4; 3 BSv)
HRs: BBB – Granderson (10); NYY – Mattingly (17), Sanguillén (2), Belle (10).
Box Score

Series XV Featured Matchup: New York Black Yankees @ San Francisco Sea Lions

By mknn

On October 12, 2021

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Preview here.

#Game One: Dave Righetti @ Lefty Grove

Despite a few superb outings, New York‘s Dave Righetti comes into this game with a losing record (3-4) and a poor ERA (5.43). San Francisco will start one of the more dependable arms so far in the league, Lefty Grove, who sits at 5-2 with a sparkling 3.23 ERA.

Derek Jeter led off the game against Grove with a grounds-rule double, but was left stranded at 2B. San Francisco’s leadoff hitter, Rickey Henderson, walked and, as he is wont to do, stole second while Bobby Bonds and Reggie Jackson were striking out. But Pedro Guerrero singled to left, and Henderson scored easily, putting the Sea Lions up, 1-0.

It didn’t last long: Lou Gehrig took Grove deep in the top of the 2nd to tie the game. Willie Randolph–continuing to keep his average over .200–added an RBI single to give the Black Yankees the lead, but it could have been much worse for Grove, as Bonds caught a fly ball by Don Mattingly in shallow centerfield for the 2nd out and nailed Thurman Munson, trying to score from 3rd, to end the inning.

Again the lead barely lasted: Jimmy Bloodworth took Righetti deep to lead off the bottom of the 2nd. Later in the inning, a Henderson single scored Cy Perkins to edge San Francisco in front, 3-2.

It was a sloppy game through 3 innings with each team committing 2 errors (Randolph and Babe Ruth for New York, Dick Lundy and Jack Clark for the Sea Lions), Righetti walking 2 and Grove walking 3.

Mattingly would tie the game with homerun in the top of the 4th, and Jeter would drive in a run in the top of the 6th, giving the lead back to New York, 4-3. Again though: a lead with a short life. Perkins chased Righetti from the game with a 3-run shot in the bottom of the frame, with the Black Yankees bringing in Dellin Betances who got out of the inning without any further damage and a 6-4 lead for San Francisco.

The Black Yankees got one run back when Eric Davis singled, stole second and third, and scored on a base hit by Albert Belle.

San Francisco added 2 in the bottom of the 7th on Randolph’s second error of the game, an errant throw that allowed both Henderson and Bonds to score.

But this New York team is hard to put away: Davis led off the top of the 9th with a single against Ron Robinson, and after Gehrig whiffed, Belle walked and Munson doubled, scoring Davis to make it a 2-run game, 8-6. Ken Howell relieved Robinson and promptly fanned Doug DeCinces and got pinch-hitter Mike Schmidt to groundout weakly in front of the plate to end the game.

NYY 6 (Righetti 3-5) @ SFS 8 (Grove 6-2; Howell 3 Sv; Street 1 H; Devlin 2 H; Robinson 8 H)
HRs: NYY – Gehrig (14), Mattingly (10); SFS – Perkins (3), Bloodworth (10)
Box Score

#Game Two: Waite Hoyt @ Eddie Plank

This one started out as a pitching duel, with New York’s Waite Hoyt and San Francisco’s Eddie Plank each only allowing a single hit through 4 innings.

New York added 2 hits in the 5th–a double by Mike Schmidt and a single by Willie Randolph–but Plank fanned Derek Jeter and Don Mattingly to get out of the inning.

Dick Lundy opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th when Lundy singled home Bob Cerv. Lundy would score in a hit by Rickey Henderson, and the Sea Lions took the lead, 2-0.

Plank held the shutout through the 6th, then gave up a single to Thurman Munson and a walk to Schmidt to lead off the 7th. That was it for him, as San Francisco brought in Chad Bradford from the pen with 2 on and no outs. New York would counter by bringing Lou Gehrig out to pinch-hit for Randolph. Gehrig was retired, but Bradford allowed one run before getting Babe Ruth to end the inning on a flay to deep center.

That narrowed the game to a 2-1 lead for San Francisco, which is where it stayed heading to the top of the 9th, where the Sea Lions turned to their closer Rod Beck.

The first batter was Munson, who immediately added to his incredible few weeks by taking Beck into the left field seats to tie the game. Schmidt would walk, followed by an infield single from Gehrig, and it suddenly felt like New York might blow the game open. Instead, Jeter grounded into a double play, and with the hugely ineffective Craig Counsell up, San Francisco seemed in decent shape … until Beck’s 2-2 pitch was wild, bouncing past Mickey Cochrane and allowing Schmidt to score. Counsell flew out to left, but the Black Yankees were ahead, 3-2.

They brought in their closer, Sparky Lyle, who set the side down in order, striking out Bobby Bonds to end the game.

Munson ended the day 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored as all 6 of the Black Yankees’ hits came from the bottom 3 slots in their lineup.

NYY 3 (Hoyt 5-1; Lyle 7 Sv) @ SFS 2 (Beck 0-1, 1 B Sv; Bradford 2 H)
HRs: Munson (7)
Box Score

#Game 3: Ron Guidry @ Cy Falkenberg

Rickey Henderson led off the bottom of the first with a long fly that sliced down the right field line, and barely stayed fair for a leadoff homerun off Ron Guidry and a 1-0 Sea Lions lead.

Leading off the bottom of the 3rd, it was Henderson again, this time with a double. He scored on an RBI single from Pedro Guerrero, making it 2-0. And, while Henderson led off the bottom of the 5th with a strikeout, the Sea Lions did add to their league on singles from Guerrero, Bobby Bonds, and Jimmy Bloodworth.

Through 5 innings, Cy Falkenberg had easily outmatched Guidry, allowing only 1 hit and 2 walks while strikeout out 5. But the top of the 6th began with a leadoff walk to Mickey Mantle, followed by Babe Ruth‘s 20th homerun of the year, cutting the lead to 3-2. Falkenberg walked Lou Gehrig and Albert Belle, and Thurman Munson dinked a little looper into right to load the bases. Don Mattingly tied the game with a sacrifice fly, but Falkenberg was able to escape the inning without further damage.

So, Guidry got a reprieve, having given up 8 hits through 5 innings while striking out 6. He struck out John Beckwith and Eddie Joost to lead off the 6th, but Dick Lundy doubled to deep left-center, chasing Guidry from the game in favor of Cole Hamels, who was able to retire Henderson to maintain the tied score.

Rick Langford may have pitched himself to AAA, allowing homeruns to Mantle and Gehrig, giving the Black Yankees a 6-3 lead.

Henderson would plate 2 in the bottom of the 8th with a double, scoring Beckwith and Lundy, and pulling San Francisco to within 1 run.

Ralph Citarella relieved Hamels, and promptly surrendered a ground-rule double to Guerrero, tying the game once more. Left in to pitch the bottom of the 9th, Bloodworth took Citarella deep to win the game for San Francisco.

Guerrero had 4 hits in the victory and Henderson 3 hits, driving in 3 and scoring 3 times.

NYY 6 (Citarella 1-3, 1 B Sv) @ SFS (Howell 3-2)
HRs: NYY – Ruth (20), Mantle (8), Gehrig (15); SFS – Henderson (3), Bloodworth (11)
Box Score

#Game 4: Jack Scott @ Diego Segui

Ah, the pitching duel we all expected … Diego Segui has been one of the shocks of the season, with an ERA near 2.00 since being recalled from AAA. He delivered here, allowing only 1 hit through 5 innings while the Black Yankees’ Jack Scott did him one better, with a no-hitter through 5.

Manny Sanguillen took Segui deep for his first homerun of the year in the top of the 6th and from there the wheels sort of fell off: Mickey Mantle drove in 1 run, then Babe Ruth hit his 21st homerun of the year with a couple runners on, making it 5-0 New York.

A single by John Beckwith broke up the no-no, but Scott kept the shutout intact for another inning, until Reggie Jackson sent a line drive into the rightfield stands, cutting the lead to 5-1.

An Eddie Joost homerun closed it to 5-2, and Sparky Lyle seemed to close the door, easily retiring the first 2 Sea Lions in the bottom of the 9th. But singles by Jimmy Bloodworth and Wally Moon were followed by a pinch-hit double from Bob Cerv, bringing the winning run to the plate in the form of the conundrum that is Joost.

Lyle struck him out on a slider, preserving the win for New York and splitting the series at 2.

Derek Jeter was 3-for-4 for New York.

NYY 5 (Scott 6-3; Lyle 8 Sv; Gossage 4 H) @ SFS (Segui 2-3)
HRs: NYY – Sanguillen (1), Ruth (21); SFS – Jackson (11), Joost (6)
Box Score

#Series Notes

So, a split in a close series with some excellent baseball on both sides.

Babe Ruth hit 2 homeruns, driving in 5 for New York, but those were his only 2 hits in the series. Other than the unstoppable Thurman Munson–who went 6-for-11, lifting his average to .320 on the year– and Derek Jeter (6-for-18) the Black Yankees offense was kept largely in check.

For San Francisco, Jimmy Bloodworth went 6-for-17 with 2 homeruns and Pedro Guerrero 5-for-17. Perhaps more importantly for the Sea Lions, Rickey Henderson showed signs of breaking out of his slump, going 5-for-10 while scoring 5 runs and driving in 5.

Series XI Featured Matchup: New York Black Yankees @ Miami Cuban Giants

By mknn

On July 29, 2021

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Preview here.

Overall, the season has gone as anticipated for these two teams. At 25-17, the Black Yankees lead their division and have a dominant offense and a top-end pitching staff. At 18-24, the Cuban Giants are … mediocre at best.

Miami welcomed Martin Dihigo back to the lineup after a long injury absence in the series opener.

#Game 1: Red Ruffing @ Tommy Bridges

Both teams had 2 hits in the first inning, but neither scored, with Red Ruffing striking out Manny Machado and Will Clark with 2 on. Ruffing fanned 6 through the first 3 innings.

A 2-run homerun from Mickey Mantle in the top of the 4th opened the scoring, putting New York on the board. Eric Davis followed with a solo shot, and the Black Yankees led, 3-0.

Miami’s Tommy Bridges was chased from the game in the top of the 7th, allowing a 2-out, opposite field, 3-run shot to Babe Ruth. Eustaquio Pedroso relieved him, but perhaps a batter too late?

Ruffing finally gave up a run in the bottom of the 7th when Robin Yount took him deep to center for a solo homerun. The Black Yankees’ righthander kept trying to get out of the inning, but errors by Willie Randolph and Derek Jeter (his first of the year) prolonged it, eventually bringing Jose Canseco to the plate with 2 outs and the bases loaded. Ruffing got the slugger to popout to Don Mattingly at first base, preserving New York’s lead at 6-1.

Each team would score once more: Davis’ second homerun of the game, and an RBI from Yount, for the final score of 7-2.

This was one of those rare games where a team makes 4 errors and wins–Mattingly had 2 miscues in addition to Randolph’s and Jeter’s, but Miami, who left 11 runners on base, were unable to capitalize.

Ruffing moved to 5-0 with his 7 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 8.

NYY 7 (Ruffing 5-0) @ MCG 2 (Bridges 3-1)
HRs: NYY – Ruth (16), Mantle (5), Davis 2 (13); MCG – Yount (2)
Box Score

#Game 2: Dave Righetti @ Camilo Pascual

Camilo Pascual is the current ERA leader in the WBL, at 2.26 while Dave Righetti has struggled a bit, with a 2-3 record and an ERA just over 5.

Mike Schmidt led off the top of the 3rd with a double, and Thurman Munson singled him to third, extending his hitting streak to 18 games. Derek Jeter was able to drive in the first run of the game with a single, but that was all the Black Yankees could muster.

The score stayed 1-0 through 6 innings, until, in the top of the 7th, Munson singled home Albert Belle, extending the lead to 2-0 and chasing Pascual from the game. Alex Colome gave up an infield single to Don Mattingly, pinch-hitting for Willie Randolph, and a 2 run double to Jeter.

Dellin Betances relieved Righetti in the bottom of the 8th, loaded the bases (single, walk, hit batsman), and was relieved by Ralph Citarella, who walked in Miami’s first run with four straight balls to Gary Sheffield. A pinch-hit single from Jim Thome added another run, closing the gap to 4-2.

Pascal ended up being charged with 3 runs in 6.2 innings, but 2 of those were allowed in by Colome. Still, the loss drops him to 4-2 on the year. Righetti picked up the victory with 7 shutout innings.

NYY 4 (Righetti 3-3; Citarella 7 H; Lyle 5 Sv) @ MCG 2 (Pascal 4-2)
HRs: none
Box Score

#Game 3: Rube Waddell @ Waite Hoyt

Rube Waddell comes into the game with great numbers, including a 3.19 ERA, but only a 2-3 ERA. Waite Hoyt, on the other hand, is 3-1 with an ERA almost exactly a run higher than Waddell–another reminder that W-L is a team metric.

Derek Jeter led the game off for New York with a homerun to left field, but a Manny Machado sacrifice fly and a wild pitch from Hoyt put the Cuban Giants up 2-1. Alejandro Oms drove home Carlos Moran in the 2nd, extending the lead to 3-1.

In the top of the 3rd, Waddell motioned for the trainer to come out, and had to leave the game with an arm injury. This could be a challenge, as Miami is running out of bullpen arms. They brought in Clay Condrey initially.

Condrey did well until Eric Davis took him out of the yard in the 4th, tying the game at 3.

Gary Sheffield got the first hit of his WBL career with an RBI triple in the bottom of the 4th, effectively ending Hoyt’s day.

Davis brought the Black Yankees level all by himself in the 6th: a walk, a steal of second, a steal of third, and trotting home on Manny Sanguillen‘s fly to right field. That gave him 20 steals on the season: imagine what he’d do if he played fulltime!

Eustaquio Pedroso walked in a run in the top of the 8th, putting New York up again by one run, 5-4, but Miami would fight right back with Sheffield delivering his second hit, a solo homerun into the left field stands.

And so we headed to extra innings. New York has the clear edge, with Miami having to stretch each reliever to their limit.

The top of the 11th brought Thurman Munson to the plate for the first time, after Mike Schmidt pinch-hit for Sanguillen. Munson led off the inning with a double down the right field line, which both extended his hitting streak to 19 games and put the go-ahead run on second base. Miami brought in Aroldis Chapman, who promptly whiffed Jeter, Babe Ruth, and Mickey Mantle to preserve the tie.

The challenge is where the Cuban Giants go next: Chapman needed 23 pitches to get out of the inning, and clearly has at most one more inning in him. Not even: Don Newcombe relieved Chapman with 2 outs and 2 on, but he got Munson to fly out to get out of the 12th inning.

It was all that was needed. Will Clark led off the bottom of the 12th against Dellin Betances with a single. Jose Cardenal came on to pinch-run, and a walk to Machado moved him to second. He scored on a single by Jim Thome, sending Miami home with the win, 6-5.

It took 7 pitchers, with Newcombe finally earning the win–his first on the year–with 3 pitches. But it’s likely to mess up the Cuban Giants’ rotation for a few days. After the game, Waddell was put on the DL, with Miami recalling Marcelino Lopez and waiving Edwin Encarnacion.

NYY 5 (Betances 0-1) @ MCG (Newcombe 1-4; Pedroso 1 BS)
HRs: NYA – Jeter (3), Davis (14); MCG – Sheffield (1)
Box Score

#Game 4: Ron Guidry @ Marcelino Lopez

The Cuban Giants will turn to the recently recalled–like, yesterday–Marcelino Lopez, hoping to earn a series split. It’s a tall order against one of the better arms in the league, Ron Guidry, who comes into the game with a 4-3 record and a 3.41 ERA.

It did not begin well: Willie Randolph led off the game with a triple. But Lopez recovered, and got out of the inning without any damage. The game was a struggle for Lopez: he labored through five innings, giving up 7 hits and 3 runs, which was surely better than expected.

Guidry, on the other hand, was sailing through five, striking out 4 and allowing only 2 hits.

The problem was that Miami’s bullpen was totally gassed, so Lopez was left to fend for himself. Ultimately, he recovered and e did well, completing 7 innings–and 119 pitches–before giving way, still trailing by 3 runs. It got a little worse: Jose Mendez came in, and with 2 outs in the 9th, had to be replaced with elbow pain.

Machado put Miami on the board with homerun in the bottom of the 9th against Guidry, but that was all they could muster, losing both the game and the series, 3-1.

NYA 3 (Guidry 5-3) @ MCG 1 (Lopez 0-1)
HRs: NYA – None; MCG – Machado (9)
Box Score

Series Notes

Jose Mendez hit the injured list after the series, with Sandy Consuegra returning to Miami to help the beleaguered bullpen. Marcelino Lopez is likely to get more innings to see if he can help out at the big league level.

Alejandro Oms went 6-for-19 in the four games for Miami, and was really the only consistent bright spot for them offensively.

For New York, Thurman Munson extended his hitting streak to 20 games, going 6-for-13 in the series. Derek Jeter went 5-for-15 with 4 RBIs, and Eric Davis was 4-for-11 with 3 homeruns and 4 RBIs. Babe Ruth saw his average drop to a season low of .337, going hitless over the final 3 games.

WBL Year I Statistics

I needed a place to hold statistics that aren’t easily displayed in OOTP. Most of these are game-level performances.

For complete statistics, poke around on the WBL Stats Page.

Batting Statistics

2+ 3B Games

2. Oscar Charleston (HOM); Rickey Henderson (SFS); Pete Hill (HOU); Gary Pettis (POR); Rick Reichardt (HOM); Manny Sanguillen (NYY); Billy Southworth (BBB); George Stone (HOD)

3+ 2B Games

4. Stan Musial (KCM)
3. Bob Bailey (DET); Curt Blefary (BAL); Pete Browning (HOD); Rico Carty (PHI) x2, Rick Ferrell (HOM); Pinky Higgins (NYG); Baby Doll Jacobson (BAL); Davey Johnson (HOM); Scott Rolen (PHI); Jimmy Sheckard (NYG); Ozzie Smith (KCM); Roy White (BRK)

3+ HR Games

3. Joe Adcock (NYG); Gil Hodges (POR); Reggie Jackson (SFS); Yasiel Puig (NYG); Chase Utley (PHI)

3+ OF Assists

3. Jim Edmonds (HOD); Curtis Granderson (BBB)

4+ BB Games

4. Eddie Collins (CAG); Gavvy Cravath (PHI); Mickey Mantle (NYY); Joe Morgan (IND); Babe Ruth (NYY) x2; Reggie Jackson (SFS); Reggie Smith (MEM); Elmer Valo (LAA); Joe Votto (IND)

4+ Run Games

5. Don Mattingly (NYA)

4. John Briggs (BRK); Johnny Callison (NYG); Robinson Cano (KCM); Cupid Childs (BBB); Will Clark (MIA); Mark Ellis (LAA); Carlton Fisk (CAG); Dan Ford (HOD); Bryce Harper (BAL); Kent Hrbek (POR); Frank Isbell (BBB/BRK) x2; Joe Jackson (CAG); Reggie Jackson (SFS); Geoff Jenkins (DET); Eddie Mathews (BBB); Willie Mays (NYG); Andrew McCutcheon (HOM); Willie McGee (KCM); Boog Powell (KCM); Edd Roush (IND); Pops Stargell (HOM); Mike Trout (LAA) x2; George Wright (LAA)

4+ SB Games

4. Bobby Bonds (SFS); Lou Brock (KCM); Eddie Collins (CAG); Billy Southworth (BBB)

5+ Hit Games

5. Pete Browning (HOD); Robinson Cano (KCM); Ty Cobb (DET); Chili Davis (DET); Mark Ellis (LAA); Tom Herr (BBB); Frank Isbell (BBB); Stan Musial (KCM); Ken Singleton (BAL); Jim Stephens (LAA); Mike Trout (LAA); Andy Van Slyke (HOM); Jim Wynn (HOU)

5+ SO Games

5. Phil Bradley (OTT); Mike Piazza (BRK); Bobby Wallace (BAL)

6+ RBI Games

9. Jim Stephens (LAA)
7. Mickey Cochrane (SFS); Eric Davis (NYY) x2; Reggie Jackson (SFS); Doug Rader (LAA); Pete Runnels (MCG)
6. Bob Bailey (DET); Carlos Delgado (LAA); Rogers Hornsby (KCM); Jim Pagliaroni (MEM); Yasiel Puig (NYG); Honus Wagner (HOM)

Longest HRs

526 ft. Jim Thome (MCG)
525 ft. Albert Pujols (KCM)
524 ft. Frank McCormick (BBB)
515 ft. Carlos Correa (HOU)
514 ft. Casey Stengel (HOU)
511 ft. Boog Powell (KCM)
504 ft. Curt Blefary (BAL); Eugenio Suárez (NYG)
503 ft. Ernie Banks (HOD)
502 ft. Wally Moon (SFS)
501 ft. Curt Blefary (BAL)

Pitching Statistics

80+ Game Scores

91. Sandy Koufax (BRK); Christy Mathewson (NYG)
89. Dave Righetti (NYY)
88. Bert Blyleven (POR); Bob Gibson (KCM); Ron Guidry (NYY); Bill Steen (CLE)
87. Pete Donohue (NYG); Jack Taylor (HOD); Jim Whitney (BBB).
86. Luke Hamlin (KCM); Mel Harder (CLE); José Rijo (KCM); Jack Taylor (HOD)
85. Freddie Fitzsimmons (MCG); Waite Hoyt (NYY)
84. Bert Blyleven (POR); Gene Conley (DET); Freddie Fitzsimmons (MCG); Ned Garvin (BAL); Lefty Grove (POR); Luke Hamlin (KCM); Harry Howell (LAA); Greg Maddux (BBB); Stubby Overmire (MEM); David Price (CAG); Frank Smith (CAG).
83. Jamie Moyer (OTT); Toad Ramsey (HOU).
82. Ned Garvin (BAL); Luke Hamlin (KCM); Walter Johnson (POR); Dutch Leonard (BRK); Tricky Nichols (CAG); Bob Rush (HOD); Stephen Strasburg (HOU); Jack Taylor (HOD); Jim Whitney (BBB); Cy Young (HOM)
81. Brett Anderson (LAA); Bert Blyleven (POR); Walter Johnson (POR); Tricky Nichols (CAG); Camilo Pascual (MCG); Whit Wyatt (CLE)
80. Brett Anderson (LAA); Bob Brown (OTT); Steve Carlton (PHI); Gerrit Cole (LAA); Lefty Grove (POR); Waite Hoyt (NYY), Ramón Martínez (MCG); Wade Miley (HOD); Old Hoss Radbourn (OTT); Charlie Root (DET)

10+ Strikeout Games

14. Bert Blyleven (POR)
12. Ed Walsh (CAG)
11. Bob Brown (OTT); Lefty Grove (POR) x2; Ron Guidry (NYY); Luke Hamlin (KCM); Tommy Hanson (BRK); Ramón Martínez (MCG); Christy Mathewson (NYG); Tricky Nichols (CAG); Dave Righetti (NYY); Bret Saberhagen (HOU); Ed Walsh (CAG)
10. Bob Feller (CLE); Lefty Grove (POR); Ron Guidry x2 (NYY) x2; Walter Johnson (POR); Mike Mussina (BAL); Frank Knauss (BRK).

8+ Walk Games

8. Ramon Martínez (MCG); Nolan Ryan (LAA); Carlos Zambrano (HOM)

Shutouts

1 H. Sandy Koufax (BRK); Christy Mathewson (NYG)
2 H. Luke Hamlin (KCM); Waite Hoyt (NYY) [7 Inn]; David Price (CAG); José Rijo (KCM); Frank Smith (CAG); Jack Taylor (HOD)
3 H. Brett Anderson (LAA); Pete Donohue (NYG); Freddie Fitzsimmons (MCG); Ned Garvin (BAL): Bob Gibson (KCM); Luke Hamlin (KCM); Mel Harder (CLE); Ron Guidry (NYY); Greg Maddux (BBB); Tricky Nichols (CAG); Stubby Overmire (MEM); Dave Righetti (NY); Bob Rush (HOD); Jack Taylor (HOD).
4 H. Brett Anderson (LAA); Bert Blyleven (POR); Gerrit Cole (LAA); Gene Conley (DET); Ned Garvin (BAL); Waite Hoyt (NYY); Wade Miley (HOD); Tricky Nichols (CAG); Old Hoss Radbourn (OTT); Toad Ramsey (HOU); Bill Steen (CLE); Jack Taylor (HOD); Cy Young (CLE)
5 H. Bert Blyleven (POR); Steve Carlton (PHI); Harry Howell (LAA); Walter Johnson (POR); Dutch Leonard (BRK); Ramon Martinez (MCG); Jamie Moyer (OTT); Milt Pappas (BAL); José Rijo (KCM); CC Sabathia (HOD); Sam Streeter (BBB)

Shutouts (Combined)

1 H. Luke Hamlin / Frank DiPino / Jeff Pfeffer (KCM)
3 H. Whit Wyatt / Chad Qualls / Chuck Porter (CLE); H. Newhouser / Gene Conley / Kevin Hart (DET); Stephen Strasburg / Billy Wagner (HOU); Mel Harder / Chuck Porter (CLE)
4 H. Hank Aguirre / Mike Henneman (DET); Dizzy Trout / Elmer Brown (POR); Vic Willis / John Malarkey (BBB); Doc Gooden / Mike Smith (LAA); Stubby Overmire / Lance Broadway / Heath Bell / Jonathan Papelbon (MEM); Willie Mitchell / Clay Carroll / Rob Dibble (IND)
5 H. Ray Collins / Rheal Cormier (PHI); Vean Gregg / Stan Bahnsen (HOM); Connie Johnson / Smokey Joe Wood / Jeff Pfeffer (KAN); Bob Rush / Rollie Fingers / Scott Downs / Lee Smith / Bruce Sutter (HOD); Francisco Liriano / Frank Linzy (HOM); Gene Conley / Buddy Napier / John Hiller; Jack Taylor / Scott Downs / Kerry Wood (HOD); Roenis Elías / Phenomenal Smith / Ed Bauta / Aroldis Chapman (MCG); Stephen Strasburg / Chad Qualls / Brad Lidge (HOU) / Eddie Plank / Dave LaRoche / Rob Beck (SFS); Jack Scott / Aroldis Chapman (NYY); Pat Malone / Chuck Porter / Cory Gearrin / Terry Adams (DET)

Game of Series IV: New York Black Yankees @ Ottawa Mounties

By mknn

On May 11, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps, TWIWBL

Sometimes a game is so good it deserves its own writeup.

Such was the case in game two of the series between the New York Black Yankees and the Ottawa Mounties. A lot of narrative threads came into play in this one, although before the game started, the only items of note were the disparity in records (New York came into the game at 12-3, Ottawa at 5-10) and Babe Ruth‘s 15 game hitting streak.

Ron Guidry (2-1) got the start for New York while Bob Brown (0-1) took the mound for Ottawa.

Eric Davis singled in the New York 2nd, and promptly stole 2nd and 3rd, but Brown was able to get back-to-back popups from Lou Gehrig and Thurman Munson, stranding Davis at 3rd.

Meanwhile, Guidry was unhittable, striking out the first 5 batters he faced.

Mike Schmidt–struggling with a sub .200 average–led off the 3rd inning with a HR to left, putting the Black Yankees up, 1-0.

Larry Walker–fresh off a return from the DL–led off the bottom of the 5th with a double. Anthony Rendon reached on an error by Willie Randolph, but was thrown out on the back end of a double-steal and Guidry forced a groundout from Gary Carter to get out of the inning with the 1-0 lead.

Guidry was great, allowing only 3 hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking 1 and striking out 10, but when, in the bottom of the 7th, Freddy Parent doubled with 2 outs, The Black Yankees went to the bullpen, bringing in Dellin Betances to face Carter. Betances walked The Kid, but got a popout from Ken Griffey, Jr to end the inning.

And, when Ruth threw out Tim Raines at the plate in the bottom of the 8th after Phil Bradley–mired in a horrific slump–doubled into the corner, it looked like the Black Yankees had the game in hand.

If anything, Brown was even better than Guidry, allowing 3 hits in 8 innings with 11 strikeouts, before giving way to Old Hoss Radbourn. Radbourn got Ruth to fly out to LF in the top of the 9th, presumably ending the Babe’s hitting streak.

The bottom of the 9th saw New York’s closer, Sparky Lyle, take the mound with the 1-0 advantage. But Lyle’s first pitch was launched by Walker deep into the night for a 450 foot HR to tie the game. Rendon followed with a double, but Lyle was able to get out of the jam, sending the game into extra innings.

Schmidt doubled in the 10th and scored on pinch-hitter Manny Sanguillen‘s single. A hit by Derek Jeter chased Radbourn from the game, and New York greeted Ted Bowsfield quite rudely, with Don Mattingly singling in a run and then Ruth–getting an unexpected chance to extend his streak–singling through the infield to plate Jeter. When the inning ended, New York now led 4-1.

After a leadoff walk to Raines, Lyle was relieved by Lady Baldwin, who struck out Bradley and Carlos Delgado around an Alex Rodriguez double. That meant there were 2 outs and 2 on for Walker, who promptly deposited a Baldwin pitch deep, deep into CF for his 2nd HR of the game, a game-tying, 487 foot HR monstrosity of a blast.

That took us to the 11th. Gehrig led off the inning with a 4-pitch walk from Bowsfield, and Munson followed with a single to RF. Walker threw out Munson trying to stretch the hit into a double for the 1st out of the inning. It would matter, as Schmidt hit his 2nd HR of the game to give the Black Yankees a 6-4 lead. Bowsfield recovered to strike out Craig Counsell and Jeter.

Baldwin gave up consecutive singles to Parent and Emil Gross before getting Griffey, Jr. to fly out. He was relieved by A.J. Burnett, who gave up a single to Raines to load the bases with 1 out.

John Olerud pinch hit for Bradley and grounded the ball down the 1B line. Gehrig picked it cleanly and threw to Jeter, but the return throw was too late for the double play, and Parent scored, making it a one run game.

Rodriguez singled to score Gross and tie the game, Delgado singled to load the bases and that brought up, you guessed it, Walker.

He deposited Burnett’s first pitch into shallow RF, scoring Olerud and giving Ottawa a great 7-6 win in extra innings.

Burnett ended up taking the loss, with Lyle, Baldwin, and Burnett all blowing save opportunities while the victory went to a largely ineffective Bowsfield.

So, Ruth extended his hitting streak to 16 games; Schmidt pushed his BA above .200 by going 3-for-5 with 2 HRs, 3 runs, and 3 RBIs, and Walker won the game almost single-handedly with 4 hits, 2 runs, 5 RBIs, and 2 HRs, plus an OF assist.

Season Preview: New York Black Yankees

By mknn

On August 20, 2020

In Team News

There is so much undeniable talent here that the Black Yankees have to be seen as preseason favorites in the WBL. Maybe the pitching staff collapses, but with all that offense, will it even matter? There is–or course–the 24 year old Babe Ruth, but this is also a team where Don Mattingly bats 8th and where Albert Belle has a hard time finding ABs.

Final Roster

SP: Ron Guidry, Red Ruffing, Dave Righetti, Waite Hoyt, Jack Scott.
RP: AJ Burnett & Lady Baldwin; Dellin Betances & David Robertson; Goose Gossage & Ralph Citarella; Sparky Lyle.

C: Thurman Munson; Manny Sanguillen
1B: Don Mattingly
2B: Willie Ranolph; Craig Counsell
3B: Doug DeCinces
SS: Derek Jeter
LF: Babe Ruth; Charlie Keller
CF: Eric Davis
RF: Mickey Mantle
DH: Lou Gehrig & Albert Belle

Notes

Jack Scott earned the last slot in the rotation … with 17 walks in 23 IP, Whitey Ford punched his ticket to AAA, although he should be back pretty soon … Fritz Coumbe‘s twisted ankle also sends him to AAA … Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage are both back from injury, with Lyle having the edge as closer to start the season … Manny Sanguillen and Smoky Burgess were almost equivalent offensively, so Sanguillen’s better defense keeps him on the roster … Red Rolfe‘s being sent back to AAA was expected, despite his stellar performance … Aaron Judge‘s was not, as Judge was seen as having a lock on the RF job, but Charlie Keller‘s flexibility and similar Spring performance earned him an opening day spot … importantly, this paves the way for the Black Yankees to get Don Mattingly, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Eric Davis all in the lineup at the same time.

35 year old P AJ Burnett is the elder statesman of the roster with 20 year old Mickey Mantle the youngest to make it to opening day.

Despite rough Springs, both 3B Chris Brown and P Jim Clinton look to be among the first recalled from AAA. 21 year old C Bill Dickey is turning some heads as well. At AA, 20 year old 1B Prince Fielder is the highest touted prospect.

Spring Training Preview: New York Black Yankees

By mknn

On June 20, 2020

In Team News

Most of the questions are in the rotation. Ron Guidry is a lock, and the scouting department are insisting Jim Clinton has a slot as well. But the other 3 slots have 8 contenders in Waite Hoyt, Dave Righetti, Red Ruffing, Jack Scott, Lady Baldwin, Jake Peavy, AJ Burnett, and Whitey Ford. 3 of those make the rotation, 3 make the bullpen, and 2 head back to the minors.
- Guidry has been great. Clinton has pitched his way out of consideration, as have Peavy and Burnett. The rest remains up for grabs, with Ford and Baldwin the most impressive so far.
  - The rotation is pretty open, but in a way that is good for the Black Yankees. Clinton remains the worst of the group, and heads to AAA. Aside from him, though, they’ve all been decent. If the season started tomorrow, it would be Guidry, Baldwin, Hoyt, Ford, and Righetti. But it all could change based on performances for the rest of the Spring.
- Sparky Lyle, Ralph Citarella, and Dellin Betances have yet to give up a run on the bullpen, and Fritz Coumbe has been pretty stout as well.
  - Lyle has been hurt, but he was amazing before that. Citarella and Goose Gossage look like the setup crew, with Coumbe and Betances in the mix as well.
Thurman Munson is the starting C, but Smoky Burgess and Manny Sanguillen are fighting to be his backup.
- Sanguillen has a clear edge at this point.
Both Lou Gehrig and Don Mattingly should make the roster, although it’s not clear which will see more playing time.
- Mattingly has the clear edge here as Gehrig has struggled to find a groove offensively. Moose Skowron has been recalled for the rest of Spring training.
Both Willie Randolph (2B) and Doug DeCinces (3B) have outside shots to unseat the incumbents (Hardy Richardson and Chris Brown).
- Richardson has had a very rough time of it, likely losing out to Randolph if the season started now while neither DeCinces nor Brown are doing anything notable.
  - Richardson doesn’t make the roster as of right now, with Craig Counsell or Aaron Hill backing up Randolph at 2B. That sounds fine until you realize Counsell and Hill are also the best performers at 3B so far. That has led to Red Rolfe being recalled from AAA.
It would take great Springs from Albert Belle, Charlie Keller, or Joe Harris to force their way into the OF picture.
- Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Aaron Judge are playing at an incredibly high level. Eric Davis‘ speed and defense probably earn him a roster spot, and nothing else is clear.
  - Even with Harris, Charlie Keller, and Sam Thompson not making the roster, the truth here is this is probably the best OF in the league.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Ron Guidry	Lady Baldwin Whitey Ford	Waite Hoyt Dave Righetti Red Ruffing Jack Scott Jake Peavy AJ Burnett
Middle Relievers			Fritz Coombe Dellin Betances Bryan Hickerson David Robertson
Setup		Ralph Citarella Goose Gossage
Closer	Sparky Lyle
C	Thurman Munson	Manny Sanguillen	Smoky Burgess
1B		Don Mattingly	Lou Gehrig	Moose Skowron
2B		Willie Randolph	Hardy Richardson
3B			Chris Brown Doug DeCinces	Red Rolfe
SS		Derek Jeter	Aaron Hill	Craig Counsell
OF	Babe Ruth Aaron Judge Mickey Mantle	Eric Davis Albert Belle		Charlie Keller Sam Thompson Joe Harris