#Birmingham Black Barons

SS Wally Gerber announced his retirement.

JP Arencibia and Eddie Mathews each hit 2 out as Birmingham topped Indianapolis, 9-4. Lefty Gomez carried a no-hitter through 6 innings, and Hank Aaron and Jim Pagliaroni also went deep for the Black Barons.

Then, Adrián González and Albert Belle did the same, pounding 2 homers each in a 13-7 victory over Indianapolis. Belle drove in 6, giving him 99 on the year.

Aaron again hit 2 out, but the Black Barons fell to Houston in 10 innings, 7-6. There were some positives: Greg Maddux had a good start, something of which they’ll need more of if they want to slide into that final Wild Card slot.

#Houston Colt 45s

37 year old backstop Bob Boone announced his retirement, as well as a desire to go into coaching.

The Colt 45’s had one of their most dominant showings of the year in a 22-1 triumph over Ottawa. Roger Clemens improved to 17-9 with 8+ innings and 10 strikeouts, and the team rapped out 8 homeruns, including 2 from Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell drove in 8 on the day, eclipsing the century mark on the season. Paul Goldschmidt, Jim Wynn, Elliott Maddox, Will Smith, Craig Biggio, and Jackie Warner each also went deep for Houston, and the win extended the Colt 45’s lead in the Marvin Miller Division to 4 games.

Indianapolis ABC’s

Luis Padrón remains superlative, improving to 22-3 with a 4 hit shutout of Philadelphia. Chris Sabo had 2 homers as the ABC’s triumphed, 8-0.

George Foster drove in a half-dozen runs as the ABC’s came from behind to beat Philadelphia 10-8. Foster and Ed Charles had 3 hits each and Foster, Charles, and Johnny Bench each went deep.

#Kansas City Monarchs

The Monarchs recalled Dale Murphy from a rehab assignment, sending utility speedster Rex Hudler back to AAA. More importantly, Smokey Joe Wood began his own rehab, with a goal of being back with the big club by the end of the week.

Wood was indeed recalled, with Dustin Hermanson being returned to AAA. Wood will start in the bullpen, but should re-enter the rotation next week.

#Wandering House of David

Jim Clinton began a rehab assignment, and then was recalled with Frank Sullivan heading to AAA.

Speedy minor league OFer Bob Dernier retired.

#Birmingham Black Barons

Birmingham recalled Ps Slim Embrey, Pretzels Getzien, Warren Spahn, and Fred Fussell as well as position players Nate Colbert, Ron Fairly, and Tommy Davis.

Rube Melton, on the verge of nailing down a rotation slot, instead heads to the DL with only a slight hope of making it back this season. Blake Wood was called up.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Brad Lidge and Óscar Tuero were recalled from AAA.

Will Smith is making a strong case not only for next year’s roster, but this year’s. The young backstop set a new league record with 8 RBI’s on 2 homeruns in a 10-3 win over Brooklyn.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Another fine outing from Luis Padrón, another win. Padrón improved to 20-3 on the year, becoming the first hurler to hit that milestone and likely cementing his hold on the coveted Brock Rutherford Award. Padrón allowed no runs and 3 hits in 7 innings of work, combining with Rob Murphy and Rob Dibble on what eventually was a 5 hit blanking of the New York Gothams, 2-0. The ABC’s scored on back to back shots from Joey Votto and Johnny Bench in the 4th inning.

Oscar Charleston hit out 2 as the ABC’s downed the Gothams, 7-4.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Joe Harris will miss about a month with a fractured hand, meaning unless the Monarchs make the postseason, his 2001 effort is done. Rex Hudler was recalled from AAA.

Matt Morris and Adam Wainwright were added to the back end of the Monarchs’ rotation for the time being.

#Wandering House of David

Mark McGwire ended the contest with a walkoff shot to deep center–his second on the day, giving him 20 in 42 games–as the House of David defeated Ottawa, 5-4.

This team was so lost last season, that anything could feel like progress. But a .500 finish would be a start.

Best Case

Bob Gibson explodes onto the scene and additional quality arms are found somewhere while the offense continues to build around the core of Stan Musial, Albert Pujols, Willie McGee, and Boog Powell.

Worst Case

This turns into the worst pitching staff in the league and the offense just can’t compensate enough, especially if Pujols doesn’t make a step forward.

Key Questions

• Who is going to fill out the rotation and the bullpen?
• 3B looks unsettled.
• How does the competition between Ducky Medwick and Steve Evans pan out?

Trade Bait

Not enough talent to really be active.

Roster Evaluation

It’s all pretty much apparent there: the offense, especially Albert Pujols, needs to shift left and the need for something positive to happen on the mound for the Monarchs to take a step forward. Gibson and A. Rube Foster becoming at least solid would be a huge boon.

Talent Ratings

Best In The Minors

Clearly one of the deeper systems in the league, but one that has some complications: Bell and Johnston are blocked, Morris is injured, and only Foster will start the season with the Monarchs. But the scouts are drooling over all these guys, and 9 in the top 100 is pretty incredible–and that doesn’t even include top draft pick Hilton Smith.

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.

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.