Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Ralph Citarella

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview – NL Relievers

{ The All-Star game is about a month away. We’ll post occasional articles about the contenders for participation in the mid-season classic. These are written “as of now,” so the final selections may vary dramatically, but hopefully these will add to the ongoing flavor of the league. The AL comprises the Effa Manley & Marvin Miller Divisions. }

There are, of course, a lot of candidates in relief. Many of these will fall off the radar, as a single bad outing is likely to take them out of all-star contention.

Johan Santana of Portland has been the leading reliever all season, with 14 saves. His ERA has taken a recent hit, but it still sits a highly respectable 3.18. Terry Adams of the Cleveland Spiders has 11 saves to go along with an 0-1 record and a 1.84 ERA, and merits strong consideration.

A trio of closers sit immediately behind Santana: San Francisco‘s Rod Beck (10 saves and a 0.00 ERA, but only 9 innings pitched), Miami‘s Aroldis Chapman (2-0, 9 saves, also yet to be scored upon), and Brooklyn‘s Watty Clark (2-1, 2.51 ERA). Clearly, if Beck or Chapman continue to not allow a run, they’re in.

Philadelphia‘s Bob Howry is more problematic: his 10 saves look strong, but his 0-2 record and, even more, 6.59 ERA probably rule him out of the game. Howry’s teammate, Ron Reed, may have a stronger case: 0-2, 2 saves, 8 holds, and a 3.13 ERA.

The Black YankeesDavid Robertson (2-1, 2 holds, 2.28 ERA) and Ralph Citarella (1-2, 1 save, 7 holds, 3.71 ERA) and Cleveland’s Chuck Porter (3-2, 2 holds) have all been impressive in setup roles. Add Portland’s Elmer Brown (2-2, 2 saves, 5 holds, 2.37 ERA) and Brooklyn’s Erig Gagne (0-1, 1 save, 5 holds, 2.45 ERA) into the mix, as well as San Francisco’s Ken Howell, who is 1-1 with a save and 2 holds and a sparkling 1.47 ERA.

For higher usage relievers, another Philadelphia Star, Rheal Cormier should get some attention, as he has put up a 4-0 record with 1 save and 4 holds, a 2.33 ERA and a stellar 1.14 WHIP. San Francisco’s Charlie Root is also 3-0, with a 3.33 ERA and an even better 1.07 WHIP.

IndianapolisRob Dibble just needs more innings: he has been virtually unhittable so far, sitting at 2-1 with 6 saves and a 1.55 ERA along with a 1.08 WHIP. But that’s only across 12 innings of work.

The AI likes Cormier, Stan Coveleski (Cleveland; 3-0, 2 holds, 2.81 ERA), Lefty James (Indianapolis; 3-1, 2.52 ERA), and Robertson.

Right now, my five would be Santana, Adams, Chapman, Cormier, and … Dibble.

Spring Training Preview: New York Black Yankees

  • 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 DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersRon GuidryLady Baldwin
Whitey Ford
Waite Hoyt
Dave Righetti
Red Ruffing
Jack Scott
Jake Peavy
AJ Burnett
Middle RelieversFritz Coombe
Dellin Betances
Bryan Hickerson
David Robertson
SetupRalph Citarella
Goose Gossage
CloserSparky Lyle
CThurman MunsonManny SanguillenSmoky Burgess
1BDon MattinglyLou GehrigMoose Skowron
2BWillie RandolphHardy Richardson
3BChris Brown
Doug DeCinces
Red Rolfe
SSDerek JeterAaron HillCraig Counsell
OFBabe Ruth
Aaron Judge
Mickey Mantle
Eric Davis
Albert Belle
Charlie Keller
Sam Thompson
Joe Harris

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