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Tag: Robby Thompson

TWIWBL 30.1: Series XXIII Notes – Bill James Division

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On December 13, 2022

In TWIWBL

#Detroit Wolverines

3 hits from Ty Cobb, including his 11th homerun of the year, led Detroit to a 4-0 win over Portland. Johnny Marcum and Mike Henneman combined on the 6-hit shutout, with Marcum moving to 8-2 on the year.

Another combined shutout would close out the series as Gene Conley continued his dominance, moving to 10-2 on the year with 7 strong innings. Buddy Napier and John Hiller helped to close out the 7-0 victory. Bill Carrigan had 3 hits and drove in 3 for the Wolverines and Robby Thompson added his 2nd homerun of the year.

#Los Angeles Angels

Anthony Young was sent to AAA, with Mike Smith being recalled for a start.

The Angels trailed 2-0 late, but a Mike Trout homerun in the 8th and George Wright‘s 12th of the year in the top of the 9th sent LA past the House of David 3-2. Pud Galvin got the win in a game that saw another impressive start–6 shutout innings–from Nolan Ryan.

#Memphis Red Sox

Francisco Lindor‘s first career homerun was one to remember: a walkoff blast in the bottom of the 11th, giving Memphis a 6-5 victory over the House of David. Wade Boggs had 3 hits for the Red Sox, including the game-tying single in the bottom of the 9th. Norwood Gibson and Heath Bell combined for 5 innings of scoreless relief, with Bell improving to 7-3 on the year.

#New York Gothams

Pete Donohue moved to 4-0 on the year with just over 7 scoreless innings in a 3-1 win over Houston. Mike Norris picked up his 10th hold and Brian Wilson closed with his 17th save despite giving up a run in the 9th. Buster Posey and Eugenio Suárez had 3 hits each for New York.

#Wandering House of David

The House of David has finally given up on Rollie Fingers for a while, sending the reliever to AAA and recalling Kerry Wood to the WBL for a debut start. In a somewhat surprising move, 27 year old Mark Grace was waived to make room for Wood. Grace, essentially the starting 1B for most of the season, managed only a 236/312/339 slash line. Fred Lynn was sent to AAA, with Jim Edmonds returning to the House of David, presumably because of his ability to also fill in at 1B behind the new starter, Anthony Rizzo.

Early returns were positive: Wood threw a strong 6 innings, with the starter he replaced–Bob Rush–adding a scoreless final 3 for his first save of the year and Rizzo hit his 6th homerun (in 32 ABs) of the season in a 7-2 win for the House of David.

Phil Regan was waived, with Eddie Rommel being recalled for an emergency start, which went fantastically: Rommel allowed 4 hits and no earned runs in 6 innings in a 12 to 2 drubbing of Memphis. Dan Ford and Ron Santo each had 3 hits including a homerun with Santo driving in 4 on the day.

Series XXI Featured Matchup: Detroit Wolverines @ Homestead Grays

By

On June 30, 2022

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

#Game One: Si Johnson @ Earl Hamilton

A sacrifice fly by Jimmy Collins in the top of the 2nd opened the scoring, and a 2-run HR from Tony Phillips in the top of the 5th made it 3-0.

But Detroit’s Si Johnson didn’t make it out of the bottom of the frame, giving way to Justin Verlander with the bases loaded and no outs. Verlander fanned 2, escaping the danger with no runs scoring, on his way to delivering 3 innings of 1-hit relief, fanning 3.

An Arky Vaughan error plated the 4th run, followed by an RBI single from George Davis, putting the Wolverines up 5-0 heading to the bottom of the 8th.

A Chief Wilson homerun ended the shutout, but Detroit would add one more run on a Ty Cobb triple and Hank Greenberg double in the top of the 9th, making it 6-1.

The Grays would not go without at least a semblance of a fight, with a Roberto Clemente pinch-hit homerun closing the gap to 6-3 and forcing Detroit to turn to its closer, Mike Henneman. Henneman would hit Andrew McCutcheon and give up a triple to Andy Van Slyke and an RBI single to Rick Reichardt (who finished with 3 hits), but would preserve the victory, 6-5.

DET 6 (Verlander 5-2; Henneman 20 Sv) @ HOM 5 (Hamilton 1-3)
HRs: DET – Phillips (6); HOM – Wilson (3), Clemente (10)
Box Score

#Game Two: Gene Conley @ Francisco Liriano

This one was a pitcher’s duel early, with Gene Conley showing why Detroit moved him from the bullpen into the rotation, fanning 5 of the first 6 batters he faced. Francisco Liriano matched him frame for frame, and the game was scoreless going into the bottom of the 6th. Roberto Clemente led off the inning with a triple and scored on Mike Epstein‘s single to right to give Homestead a 1-0 lead.

Detroit would tie it up in the top of the 7th when Ernie Lombardi singled home Ty Cobb, who had doubled with 1 out.

Conley was sent back out for the bottom of the 7th, and Honus Wagner greeted him with a long shot to left-center field for his 8th homerun of the year and a 2-1 Grays lead.

Josh Lindblom relieved Liriano and retired the side in order, including pinch-hitters Oscar Gamble and Hank Greenberg. Those moves led to Detroit forfeiting the DH for the rest of the game.

Homestead added to their lead with RBI’s from Andy Van Slyke and Wagner, and then tried to seal the game with a 2-run shot from Arky Vaughan which sent them to the bottom of the inning leading 6-1.

Bob Bailey walked and Cobb followed with an infield single, bringing in Michael Jackson, who was greeted by Chili Davis‘ 13th homerun of the year to make it a 2-run game, 6-4. Jackson hit Lombardi, but whiffed George Davis before Geoff Jenkins doubled, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Greg Brock–pinch-hitting for the pitcher’s spot–struck out, bringing up Greenberg as the winning run.

The ball was sent deep to left, but not deep enough, and Homestead evened the series at 1 game apiece.

DET 4 (Conley 8-2) @ HOM 6 (Liriano 4-3; Lindblom 6 H)
HRs: DET – C. Davis (13); HOM – Wagner (8), Johnson (8).
Box Score

#Game 3: Hal Newhouser @ Vean Gregg

This one could be the best pitching matchup of the series, with Detroit’s Hal Newhouser facing Homestead’s Vean Gregg.

Detroit would strike first on a 2-run homerun by Geoff Jenkins in the top of the 2nd. But Newhouser wasn’t especially sharp, and Homestead scored once in the 2nd and once in the 3rd to tie it up. The first run was driven in by Pops Stargell, the second by Rick Reichardt.

But it’s not like Gregg was was shutting them down, and Detroit started off the 4th with a single by Oscar Gamble and consecutive doubles from Jenkins and Ed Baily, giving the Wolverines a 4-2 lead. Sparky Adams would add an RBI single, and a walk to Tony Phillips and double from Ty Cobb would chase Gregg from the game with Detroit up, 6-2.

Bob Friend relieved Gregg, fanning Hank Greenberg and Chili Davis to get out of the inning without any further damage being done.

Honus Wagner doubled to right in the bottom of the frame, scoring Stargell from 1st–which is quite a sight as Pops rounded third, huffing and puffing. But Newhouser settled a little, allowing only the single run, keeping the lead at 6-3.

Newhouser wouldn’t get through the 5th, as Reichardt and Josh Gibson opened the inning with singles. Doyle Alexander relieved Prince Hal, and induced a double play, but then gave up a 2-run shot into the left field bleachers from Davey Johnson, making it a 1-run game at 6-5. In the next inning, Alexander would balk home the tying run.

Wagner would give the Grays the lead in the bottom of the 7th, doubling in a run with a shot down the left field line off Kevin Hart.

Detroit would empty the bench in an attempt to tie it in the top of the 8th. Jenkins led off with a single, and George Davis pinch-ran for him. Ernie Lombardi and Bob Bailey–both pinch-hitting–delivered singles, loading the bases with no outs and chasing Billy Pierce from the game.

Adams greeted Frank Linzy with a sacrifice fly to LF to tie the game, and Phillips followed with a double, scoring Lombardi and Bailey. Phillips was injured on the play and will miss a few weeks. That brought Detroit’s final bench player, Greg Brock, to the field, which will make their defensive arrangement interesting, to say the least.

Greenberg ended up at 3B for the final 2 innings, and Mike Henneman was able to shut the door, earning the save in a hard-fought win for Detroit.

Phillips was put on the Disabled List following the game, with Robby Thompson being recalled to the WBL.

DET 9 (Hart 2-3; Henneman 21 Sv) @ HOM 7 (Pierce 0-2; Linzy 1 BSv)
HRs: DET – Jenkins (6); HOM – Johnson (9).
Box Score

#Game 4: Johnny Marcum @ Stan Bahnsen

Detroit took the lead in the 3rd when Bob Bailey took Stan Bahnsen deep after a George Davis single for an early 2-0 lead.

Bill Mazeroski would hit the first homerun of his WBL career in the bottom of the frame off Johnny Marcum, cutting the lead in half.

Another 2-run shot, this one off the bat of Chili Davis, extended the Wolverine’s advantage to 4-1. And that seemed likely to be plenty, as Marcum was throwing well.

The Grays would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the 6th with a solo shot form Rick Reichardt. Josh Gibson and Arky Vaughan singled, chasing Marcum from the game, but Whitey Wilshere would escape without further damage.

Mike Henneman came in to close the game in the bottom of the 9th, but surrendered back-to-back doubles to pinch-hitter Chief Wilson and Andrew McCutcheon, pulling the Grays within 1 run. A deep fly to center moved McCutcheon to third, and Henneman plunked Reichardt to put the winning run on first. Tom Brown ran for Reichardt, giving Homestead some speed on the basepaths. Josh Gibson doubled, tying the game, and bringing Vaughan up with the winning run 90 feet away.

Vaughan walked, loading the bases somewhat inconsequentially, and bringing up Pops Stargell. Henneman tried to work the veteran inside, and got too far inside, plunking Stargell to drive in the winning run.

DET 4 (Henneman 1-4, 3 BSv; Wilshire 1 H; Verlander 3 H) @ HOM 5 (Zambrano 2-5)
HRs: DET – Bailey (15), Davis (14); HOM – Mazeroski (1), Reichardt (12).
Box Score

Series Review

A surprising split–certainly encouraging for Homestead, but a missed opportunity for Detroit, locked in a dogfight with the Gothams for the lead in the Bill James Division.

For Detroit, Ty Cobb was 7-for-19, but did most of his damage in the first 2 games. Oscar Gamble had 6 hits and Geoff Jenkins and Ernie Lombardi each went 4-for-9 in the 3 games they played.

Homestead was led by Rick Reichardt, who went 7-for-13. Andrew McCutcheon, Honus Wagner, Arky Vaughan, and Davey Johnson each had 5 hits.

TWIWBL 24.5: Mid-Seasons Review – Detroit Wolverines

By

On February 25, 2022

In Team News, TWIWBL

Summary

Only 1 game behind in the Bill James Division, the Wolverines are still right in the hunt for the postseason.

What’s Gone Right

Power. Five batters have reached double-digits in homeruns, led by Hank Greenberg with 15 (the others are Bob Bailey, Ty Cobb, Oscar Gamble, and Chili Davis).

The Bullpen. Mike Henneman has 15 saves, but the real bullpen strength has been in the trio of Matt Anderson, Buddy Napier, and Gene Conley (who is a remarkable 7-1 out of the pen).

The Outfield. The trio of Gamble, Davis, and Cobb has been excellent, with Gamble leading the team in homeruns and RBIs.

What’s Gone Wrong

Half the Bailey Boys. Bob Bailey has held up his end of the deal, but Ed Bailey has been little more than adequate behind the plate, an issue magnified by Bill Carrigan’s injury.

The Middle Infield. That’s a little unfair: veteran Tony Phillips has been solid, usually at 2B. But the rest–George Davis at SS, Jimmy Collins at 3B, and Sparky Adams all over the place–have struggled.

The Back of the Rotation. Whitey Wilshire–expected to be one of their top starters–has just about pitched his way out of the rotation, and Si Johnson has been only a shade better.

Key Storylines

Can a team this top heavy and without a star pitcher make it to the end?

There are three intriguing questions on the mound for Detroit: two are whether Matt Anderson and Hal Newhouser can continue their success and the third is if Justin Verlander–who has been occasionally brilliant and often quite poor–can turn it around.

Cobb looks like the real deal–or as much as the real deal as a 20 year old can. So the real questions are some of the other contributors–especially Bob Bailey and the surprising–and currently injured–C Carrigan.

Trading Outlook

BUYING.

But there just isn’t a lot to sell. Maybe veteran minor leaguer Cecil Fielder?

AAA Shuttle

They’ve only really used it on the mound, with mixed results. Napier and Anderson have been excellent, but their efforts at finding starting pitchers have been far less successful.

Midseason Changes

Wilshire moves to the bullpen, and Conley gets a chance to see if he can win some more games as a starter.

Awards

All Stars: Bob Bailey (DH); Hank Greenberg (1B); Mike Henneman (P).

Pitcher of the Month: Johnny Marcum (May)
Player of the Week: Hank Greenberg (4/24)

Offensive MVP: Hank Greenberg (1B)
Pitching MVP: Hal Newhouser (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: Toronto Maple Leafs

Next to the Show: 1B Cecil Fielder, OF Ron LeFlore, 2B Robby Thompson, RP Jamie Walker.

Prospects: Al Kaline (20). George Mullin (22).

Projects: SP Mickey Lolich (26).

Suspects: OF Wes Covington (32), C Ramón Cabrera (25), IF Rob Picciolo (31), SS Damion Easley (27).

AA: Fort Wayne Daisies

Prospects: 3B Billy Nash (19), 2B Jorge Orta (22). SS Donie Bush (20), SS Ray Chapman (22).

Projects: P Jeremy Sowers (24), OF Johnny Jeter (25), 2B Charlie Gehringer (24), RP Willie Hernández (31), RP Alex Wilson (29).

Suspects: CF Herm Winningham (28), C Johnny Gooch (30), RP Brandon League (22).

TWIWBL 8.1: Series VII Notes – Bill James Division

By

On June 18, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Detroit Wolverines

Hal Newhouser made his second appearance of the year (his first only lasted 1.2 IP before an elbow injury sent him to the DL). While a little wild (5 walks), he pitched 6.2 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball. Gene Conley and Kevin Hart finished off the 3-hit shutout in the 10-0 victory over Baltimore.

Tony Phillips suffered a concussion during the game, and was put on the 10 Day IL afterwards. 2B Robby Thompson, who has been tearing up AAA since being sent down, was recalled.

Whitey Wilshire joined the 4-game winner club with 6.1 scoreless innings against Baltimore. The game was a bit of a laugher, with Geoff Jenkins‘ 4 hits leading the Wolverines to an 8-1 victory.

#Los Angeles Angels

Brett Anderson tossed a brilliant 3-hit shutout, going the distance for an 8-0 victory over Homestead. Anderson improved to 2-3 on the year, with support from one expected source (Doug Rader going 3-for-4) and one unexpected (Derrek Lee driving in 3 runs).

Elmer Valo delivered an extra innings, walk-off victory in the final game of the series against the Grays. Valo singled in Mike Trout, who had walked to lead off the inning, and then gone to 3rd an a single by Bobby Grich. The hit gave the Angels a series sweep, with the win going to Jonny Venters, who pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of a highly effective Harry Howell.

#Memphis Red Sox

Nixey Callahan was a hard-luck 0-4 on the season, despite better than average numbers. He took matter into his own hands, spinning 7.1 innings of 2-hit ball against Kansas City and earning his first victory of the season. Joe Beggs pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season, and the Red Sox won a well-pitched game, 3-1.

#New York Gothams

After the blowout 16-5 win over Philadelphia, the Gothams placed C John Kerins on the DL, calling up light-hitting Wes Westrum from AAA Hartford.

Rain setup a doubleheader to close out the series with Philadelphia. In the first game, Joe Adcock tripled in 2 runs to tie the game at 3 with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth against Philadelphia’s closer, Bob Howry. Howry’s next pitch scooted under Bill Dickey for a passed ball, and a 4-3 improbable comeback win for the Gothams.

The Stars would win the second game, as Al Mays was shellacked for 6 runs in under 4 innings. The bright spot for the Gothams was a fantastic debut by recently recalled C Westrum, who went 3-for-4 with a grand slam. And I called him light-hitting above!

#Wandering House of David

Ernie Banks saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end in a 9-5 victory over Indianapolis. The following day, Gabby Hartnett and Banks each hit pinch-hit HRs to lead the House of David to a come from behind victory over the ABC’s.

Frank Sullivan pitched a great game, allowing only 1 hit through 8 innings against Indianapolis. But the ABC’s scored in the 9th, sending the game to extra innings, and a Johnny Bench HR consigned the House of David to an extra-inning defeat.

TWIWBL 3.1: Notes from Series II

By

On September 12, 2020

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Frank Robinson went 9 for 19 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs as Baltimore took 3 out of 4 from Chicago.

#Birmingham Black Barons

The Black Barons remain winless on the season after dropping 4 to the New York Black Yankees … Warren Spahn and Scott Baker have both been torched in their 2 starts. Both are 0-2, with Spahn’s ERA ballooning above 20 … Dale Murphy is hitless on the year, starting the season 0 for 14; while Eddie Mathews and Chipper Jones went hitless for the series … Gene Tenace at 286/400/714 is about the only bright spot for Birmingham offensively.

#Chicago American Giants

RP Ken Sanders has yet to allow a hit over 4 appearances … Shoeless Joe Jackson hit .500 in the 4 game series against Baltimore.

#Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders sent SP Hardie Henderson to AAA to make room for Bill Steen‘s return from the DL, but the injuries kept coming as OF Rowland Office will be unavailable for the next 2 weeks and SS Bill Dahlen was put on the 10 Day DL … Rick Burleson was recalled to take Dahlen’s place … Larry Doby–considered a key to the Spiders’ success this year–went 3 for 18 in the 4 game split with Los Angeles … looking for some more flexibility, the Spiders recalled Tom Brookens from AAA, sending down Robby Thompson.

#Houston Colt 45’s

3B George Brett went 9 for 19 with 5 RBIs in a 4 game series with Homestead, but Houston only managed a single victory.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

With Joe Morgan out for 10 days, the ABC’s recalled Lonny Frey from AAA … Hal Morris continued his hot start, going 7 for 15 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs as Indianapolis swept a 4 game series from Memphis.

#Kansas City Monarchs

The Monarchs relievers have been fantastic, with Frank DiPino, Craig Kimbrel, and Adam Wianwright combining for 7 scoreless IP out of the pen and Jeff Pfeffer has 3 saves … Albert Pujols led the Monarchs to 3 victories in 4 games against Houston with 9 hits in 15 ABs, including 3 2Bs and a HR.

#Los Angeles Angels

Larry Anderson and Chuck Finley have been great out of the bullpen, each going 1-0 without giving up a run in a combined 10.2 IP, placing Finley in line for the next spot start … Don Buford had a rough series, going 1 for 14.

#Memphis Red Sox

When David Bush went on the DL, the Red Sox had to scramble a bit, resulting in Tim Wakefield and Eddie Cicotte joining the WBL roster and Derek Lowe being sent back down to AAA … Joe Beggs, Dean Chance, Turk Farrell, and Wakefield have combined for just shy of 20 bullpen innings, giving up a total of 8 hits and 0 runs, which you would think would result in better results than being swept in 4 games against Indianapolis … 3B Wade Boggs, Vern Stephens, and Ted Williams combined to go 5 for 46 (.109) in the 4 games.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Eustaquio Pedroso has been absolutely rocked in 2 starts, giving up 13 hits and 9 runs in only 4 IP and–not surprisingly–going 0-2.

#New York Black Yankees

The Black Yankees scored 42 runs in sweeping a 4 game series from Birmingham … Babe Ruth went 9 for 18 in the series, which is nothing compared to Eric Davis‘ 7 for 16 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs.

#Ottawa Mounties

The injury to Gary Peters–and general overusage of the bullpen–led to the Mounties’ recalling Felix Hernandez for a start, then sending him down in exchange for Monk Dubiel. Hernandez did well, giving the Mounties 7 decent innings, keeping him in line for future promotions. Dubiel was better, keeping the Mounties in the final game of the series, allowing 3 runs in 7.2 IP … Old Hoss Radbourn has been spectacular in 3 relief appearances covering 8.2 IP, putting him in line for a start in the near future … there was plenty of blame to go around as Ottawa was swept by Philadelphia in a 4 game series, but much of it goes to 1B Carlos Delgado and OF Terry Puhl, who combined for only 4 hits in 25 ABs.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

Jack Clark struggled in a series against the Wandering House of David, managing only 2 hits in 17 ABs … at the other side of the spectrum, Bobby Bonds is on fire, going 8 for 13 with 5 RBIs in the same series.

#Wandering House of David

The House of David’s bullpen has been pretty fantastic, with Tom Niedenfuer, Joakim Soria, Bruce Sutter, and Dick Tidrow combining for 11 IP without giving up a run and Rollie Fingers managing a 1.69 ERA in 5.1 IP … Elrod Hendricks cooled off significantly as the House of David took 3 out of 4 games from San Francisco, managing only 1 hit in 12 ABs.

Season Preview: Detroit Wolverines

By

On August 20, 2020

In Team News

It’s hard to see the Wolverines making a lot of noise. The pitching staff-at least after Hal Newhouser–is pretty nondescript, and right now the offense is dependent on the Bailey Boys–Ed and Bob, that is. Still, if Jimmy Collins and Hank Greenberg can perform at their peak potential, and if Ty Cobb does anything at all, maybe there is something here.

Final Roster

SP: Hal Newhouser, Whitey Wilshere, Si Johnson, Tom Hughes, Hank Aguirre.
RP: Johnny Marcum & Gene Conley; John Hiller & Jason Schmidt; Kevin Hart & Justin Verlander; Mike Henneman.

C: Ed Bailey; Bill Carrigan
1B: Hank Greenberg
2B: Tony Phillips; Robby Thompson
3B: Jimmy Collins
SS: George Davis; Sparky Adams
LF: Oscar Gamble
CF: Chili Davis
RF: Geoff Jenkins; Ty Cobb
DH: Bob Bailey

Notes

Mark Dewey was set down, which juggled the bullpen quite a bit, and allowed John Hiller–despite only 2 IP on the Spring–to make the opening day roster … it’s unclear if Si Johnson will be healthy in time for his first start; if not look for Justin Verlander or Johnny Marcum to get the ball … despite a horrid Spring slump, the Wolverines maintain faith in Ty Cobb, although the 20 year old has slid down the depth chart. Still, he is retained on the roster over Jody Gerut … Hank Greenberg finally showed signs of recovery this Spring, retaining the starting role at 1B … while the Wolverines don’t have any true platoons, Tony Phillips will move between 2B and LF, allowing Robby Thompson and Geoff Jenkins to play.

37 year old 2B/LF Tony Phillips came out of nowhere to earn a starting spot. Two 20 year olds made the roster in rotation ace Hal Newhouser and OF Ty Cobb.

1B Nate Colbert and P Clyde Passeau are most likely to help from AAA. There’s not a lot at AA: perhaps 2 of the young SS, 20 year old Donie Bush or 18 year old Alfredo Griffin will turn into something.

Spring Training Preview: Detroit

By

On June 21, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

  • Spring training will determine if Whitey Wilshere ends up in the rotation or the bullpen, but either way he’ll probably make the roster. Gene Conley, Hank Aguirre, Tom Hughes, Si Johnson, and Johnny Marcum are also in the race for the back-end of the rotation.
    • Jason Schmidt and Claude Passeau have struggled mightily (Passeau especially has put himself in danger of not making the team at all), opening up more competition for starting spots. Wilshere is almost guaranteed one, and Marcum has impressed as well.
      • Passeau has moved down to AAA. Newhouser and Wilshere have spots in the rotation, but the rest is unsettled. If Johnson has a decent 2nd start, he is in, but nobody else has shown enough, leaving eight pitchers vying for the final 2 spots.
    • Wilshere moving to the rotation opens up a lot of room in the bullpen, with Mike Henneman joining Buddy Napier as candidates to close.
      • Napier has been rocked hard, moving him to the edge of the roster entirely. Henneman is the closer, with Mark Dewey the only other decent bullpen performer so far.
  • Robby Thompson and Charlie Gehringer are competing to start at 2B, and Ray Chapman and Sparky Adams to backup George Davis at SS.
    • Thompson is far ahead of Gehringer at this point, and Chapman is even outperforming Davis at SS so far.
      • It’s all so confusing. Phillips was brought in just for flexibility, and he’s outperforming everyone. Thompson and Adams continue to impress, while both Davis and Gehringer are edging towards demotion. Jorge Orta has been recalled.
  • Only 2 of Al Kaline, Wes Covington, and Jody Gerut will make the roster in all likelihood.
    • Right now, it’s Covington and Gerut, as Kaline–along with Ty Cobb–are the worst performing OFers of the Spring. Veteran utility player Tony Phillips has been called up to add some roster flexibility as well.
      • Cobb has recovered slightly, but Kaline has just about lost his roster slot. Geoff Jenkins has been recalled to add some competition here as well.
  • Ed Bailey has closed the gap with Bill Carrigan at C, and Phil Roof has been added as a 3rd option.
    • Bailey is hitting better than Carrigan, leaving open the possibility of a platoon situation.
  • Hank Greenberg is struggling, opening the door for Nate Colbert to push him at 1B and Bob Bailey has hit enough to make a strong case for a roster spot.
    • Even Greg Brock is outhitting Greenberg at this point.
Near DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersHal Newhouser
Whitey Wilshere		Si JohnsonJason Schmidt
Johnny Marcum
Gene Conley
Hank Aguirre
Tom Hughes
Red Ehret
Justin Verlander
Mickey Lolich
Middle RelieversKevin Hart
SetupMark DeweyBuddy Napier
Roberto Hernandez
CloserMike Henneman
CEd Bailey
Bill Carrigan		Phil Roof
1BHank GreenbergNate Colbert
Greg Brock
2BRobby ThompsonTony Phillips
Charlie Gehringer		Jorge Orta
3BJimmy CollinsBob Bailey
SSGeorge DavisRay Chapman
Sparky Adams
OFTy Cobb
Chili Davis		Wes Covington
Oscar Gamble
Jody Gerut
Al Kaline		Geoff Jenkins

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