Tag: Ron Blomberg Page 6 of 7

Series preview here.

#Game One: Whit Wyatt @ Waite Hoyt

The Black Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the first on a three run HR from Mickey Mantle, followed immediately by a solo shot from Eric Davis. The Spiders got one back in the third on a bases loaded groundout from Johnny Bates, but Waite Hoyt induced a double play ball from Chuck Knoblauch, keeping the score 4-1 in favor of New York.

Solo shots from Thurman Munson in the 4th and Davis in the 5th chased Whit Wyatt from the game, with the Black Yankees now up 6-1.

The Spiders put a few runners on base, especially after a rain delay led to Hoyt leaving the game, but nobody else scored.

Davis is now tied with Babe Ruth for the WBL league in homeruns with 24.

CLE 1 (Wyatt 3-5) @ NYY 6 (Hoyt 6-1)
HRs: NYY – Mantle (10), Davis 2 (24), Munson (9)
Box Score

#Game Two: Cy Young @ Ron Guidry

Ron Guidry gave up back-to-back hits to Peanuts Lowery and Jake Stahl to start the game, but a double play and a weak flyball to right got him out of the inning without a score.

Stahl would open the scoring in the top of the fourth with his 14th homerun of the year. The Spiders would add 2 more in the fifth, on a double by Louis Santop, a triple from Jim Gantner, and a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. Cy Young, meanwhile, had a 2-hit shutout through 5 innings.

The shutout lasted until the bottom of the 9th, when Don Mattingly led off with a pinch-hit homerun. That brought in Terry Adams, who fanned Derek Jeter and Eric Davis before getting Babe Ruth to groundout weakly to 2B to end the game.

CLE 3 (Young 7-3; Adams 17 Sv) @ NYY 1 (Guidry 5-7)
HRs: CLE – Stahl (14); NYY – Mattingly (15)
Box Score

#Game 3: Pat Malone @ Red Ruffing

Cleveland sends Pat Malone to the mound as they try to get ahead in the series against New York’s all-star, Red Ruffing.

The Spiders would strike first, with Ron Blomberg hitting his 20th homerun of the year with a runner on for a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. In the bottom of the second, Albert Belle would cut the lead in half with a solo shot, and Babe Ruth would send the Black Yankees in front 3-2 with a a long homerun in the bottom of the third inning.

Ruffing and Malone would trade blanks after that until Goose Gossage took the mound for New York in the top of the 7th. The big righthander continued to struggle: Bill Dahlen walked and stole second, Kenny Lofton singled him to third, and then Chuck Knoblauch sent an 0-1 pitch into the seats for a 5-3 Cleveland lead.

That was it for Gossage, who was replaced by Cole Hamels, who gave up a pinch-hit 2 run shot to Evan Longoria, increasing the lead to 7-3.

Meanwhile, Malone was masterful, allowing only 4 hits over a complete game, 108 pitch performance, putting the Spiders in position to overtake New York in the division if they can win the final game.

Thurman Munson‘s wild 43 game streak of getting base ended in this contest.

CLE 7 (Malone 7-4) @ NYY 3 (Gossage 4-4, 5 B Sv)
HRs: CLE – Blomberg (20), Knoblauch (5), Longoria (6); NYY – Belle (9), Ruth (25)
Box Score

#Game 4: Bill Steen @ Jamie Moyer

If Bill Steen can pull a win out for Cleveland, they will take over first place from the Black Yankees, who will counter with recently acquired Jamie Moyer‘s first start for the club.

Moyer would struggle early, with Cleveland loading the bases twice in the first three innings. But the Spiders were unable to push a run across the plate in either frame. They did score first when John Ellis took Moyer deep in the top of the 5th with a runner on base. Peanuts Lowery added an RBI single, and the Spiders took the lead, 3-0.

Steen was sailing along until the bottom of the 5th, when Mike Schmidt led off with a walk and Tom Herr–who had struggled a bit in his first few days for the Black Yankees–ripped a double to right, putting New York on the board. Herr scored on a single by Derek Jeter. Singles by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig chased Steen from the game in favor of Mel Harder. Harder was greeted by an RBI single by Mickey Mantle, and we exited the 5th inning tied at 3.

It’s not clear which is more surprising, that Cole Hamels would strike out the side in the top of the 6th or that Thurman Munson, after being hit by a pitch, would steal second base. He would score on a double from Jeter, putting the Black Yankees up, 4-3.

Hamels finished with 7 strikeouts in 3 innings before giving way to Ralph Citarella with a runner on first and 2 outs. Citarella–the most dependable arm in New York’s beleaguered bullpen–hit Chuck Knoblauch and gave up a long shot into the left field stands by Ron Blomberg. That made it 6-4, and an RBI double from Ellis made it 7-4.

Cory Gearrin struggled in the bottom of the frame, giving up 3 hits, but retiring Jeter with 2 runners on to close the frame and preserve the lead.

That left Cleveland’s closer, Terry Adams, to close out the victory … if he could get through Don Mattingly, Ruth, and Gehrig. Mattingly led off with a hit, and Ruth got on with an infield squib. Gehrig followed with a double, putting runners on second and third and closing the gap to 7-5. Another infield hit, this one by Mantle, scored the runner from third, but Adams whiffed Albert Belle for the first out. Munson would send a ball deep into the night, but it would stay in the ballpark. Still, it was more than enough to score Gehrig from third.

And Herr would win the game with another infield dribbler. This one hurts the Spiders, who had a solid chance to move into first place and, instead, leave New York in the same position they were when they arrived.

Mantle had 4 hits and Herr 3 for New York while both Blomberg and Ellis drove in 3 for Cleveland.

CLE 7 (Adams 0-4, 5 Bsv; Gearrin 7 H) @ NYY 8 (Baldwin 4-0; Citrarella 2 B Sv)
HRs: CLE – Ellis (17), Blomberg (21)
Box Score

#Series Summary

For Cleveland, Ron Blomberg finished on fire, with 5 hits and 2 homeruns in the final 2 games of the series. Kenny Lofton and Bill Dahlen also had 5 hits, and John Ellis went 6-for-18 in the four games.

Mickey Mantle was 7-for-16 and Don Mattingly continued to push for more time, going 5-for-11 in the four games. Eric Davis only had 2 hits in the series, but both were homeruns.

Series XIX Preview: Cleveland Spiders @ New York Black Yankees

By mknn

On June 1, 2022

In Featured Series, Series Previews

For the first series after the all-star break, we visit to the Big Apple, where the New York Black Yankees are hosting the Cleveland Spiders.

This is the third featured series for the Black Yankees, who we looked at in Series XI and Series XV. It’s the second focus for the Spiders, who were in Series VII.

This is a pretty crucial series, as the Spiders trail the Black Yankees in the Effa Manley Division by only 1 1/2 games.

#Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders brought in Ron Reed and Lance Berkman, hoping that the infusion of bullpen talent and power on the bench is enough to catch the division leaders. If that’s going to work out, it will require the Spiders’ pitching staff to continue it’s excellent job, led by Cy Young, Pat Malone, and Bill Steen.

Offensively, Cleveland is all about MVP candidate Ron Blomberg and the trio of Louis Santop, John Ellis, and Jake Stahl, who divide the C and 1B duties between them. If they continue to produce, the Spiders have a chance.

#New York Black Yankees

The Spiders’ job is going to be harder, given that the Black Yankees improved as well, with all-star Tom Herr being brought in to solve their 2B challenge, Gary Lavelle being added to the bullpen, and Jamie Moyer taking over the final rotation spot (Herr came over from Birmingham, Lavelle and Moyer from Ottawa).

Herr addresses the one weak spot in a dominant lineup, while Lavelle may take over as the closer if Sparky Lyle‘s struggles continue.

#Series Matchups

These may change quite a bit as teams readjust after the three day break. Cleveland starter listed first.

Pat Malone (6-4, 4.03) @ Ron Guidry (5-6, 4.27)
Bill Steen (5-1, 4.07) @ Waite Hoyt (5-1, 3.51)
Stan Coveleski (5-2, 4.37) @ Jack Scott (7-3, 4.32)
Whit Wyatt (3-4, 4.82) @ Jamie Moyer (4-3, 3.71)

#Predictions

I want to see Cleveland emerge in 1st place in the division, as that would setup the best rest of the season. But my guess is it’s an even split, and the Black Yankees maintain their lead.

TWIWBL 24.4: Mid-Season Reviews – Cleveland Spiders

By mknn

On February 24, 2022

In Team News, TWIWBL

Summary

A great first half performance from the Cleveland Spiders, who are basically keeping pace with the Black Yankees in the Effa Manley Division, only 1.5 games behind.

What’s Gone Right

Big Ron. Ron Blomberg is a borderline MVP candidate, with an OPS over 1.000.

C/1B. The trio of John Ellis, Jake Stahl, and Louis Santop has been fantastic at those three positions. Santop’s 297/333/446 is the worst slash line of the three, and they have combined for 76 extra-base hits (including 29 homeruns). Ellis and Santop are very young (Santop is only 19).

Solid Starting. Only Cy Young has been excellent, but the rest of the Spiders’ starting pitching has been uniformly solid. Of the quartet of Pat Malone, Whit Wyatt, Bob Feller, and Bill Steen, the highest ERA is 4.82 and the highest WHIP is 1.32 (both Wyatt). It’s a testament to how far you can go as long as none of your starters are bad.

What’s Gone Wrong

Centerfield. Kenny Lofton has been decent since being handed the job, but the real story here is Larry Doby, whose .600 OPS has finally earned him a trip to AAA. Tris Speaker–yet to play after a gruesome injury in spring training–may return as an option.

Peanut & Office. Rowland Office shockingly won the LF job in the preseason, then collapsed to be replaced by another AAA callup, Peanuts Lowrey. Both Office and Lowery started insanely hot, and then fell hard.

The Hot Corner. The Spiders have tried Evan Longoria, Sammy Strang, Ken Keltner, and Casey Blake at third. Longoria has the job right now, but his OPS is in the mid .600s, which tells you just how bad the others have been.

Key Storylines

Are they for real–and if so, where they may end up if they can solve some of their weaknesses.

This has been a rotation that has survived with a variety of relatively unknown contributors–initially Hit Wyatt, but also Steen and Malone. The question is if that can continue.

Offensively, Blomberg has outperformed all expectations. If he can maintain anything close too that level, and if Ellis can as well, the Spiders could go far.

Trading Outlook

BUYERS.

Detroit finds themselves perhaps surprisingly high in the standings: they need to take advantage of the opportunity. The problem is they really have no established talent to move. There are some intriguing minor leaguers, but that’s about it.

AAA Shuttle

It hasn’t really worked so far, although it must be recognized that Office and Lowery did well before collapsing.

Midseason Changes

Johnny Bates takes over in LF, with Blomberg taking the field in right. This allows the Spiders to get Ellis in the lineup more reliably.

The 3B question remains unresolved–Keltner (who struggled with the big league club) has hit well at AA. But it’s AA.

Awards

All Stars: Terry Adams (P); Ron Blomberg (DH); Chuck Knoblauch (2B); Cy Young (P).

Player of the Month: Ron Blomberg (May)
Player of the Week: Ron Blomberg (5/1)

Offensive MVP: Ron Blomberg (OF)
Pitching MVP: Cy Young (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: Buffalo Bison

Next to the Show: There’s not a ton of help here as the better performers-Tony Solaita and Hal Trosky–are both primarily 1B.

Prospects: None, really.

Projects: 2B Bobby Knoop (27), OF Gibby Brack (30), C Andy Etchebarren (24), P Firpo Marberry (27), P Sudden Sam McDowell (24), OF Harry Stovey (25), 1B Tony Solaita (25), P Wade LeBlanc (23).

Suspects: SS Rick Burleson (33), P Willis Hudlin (27).

AA: Rochester Hustlers

Prospects: 3B Ken Keltner (22), 1B Charlie Grimm (20), RPs Arodys Vizcaíno (21) and Jae Kuk Ryu (23), SS Joe Sewell (22).

Projects: RP Balor Moore (19)

Suspects: OF Félix Pié (22), 2B Bill Wambsganss (25), OF Darrell Miller (26), OF Charlie Jamieson (33), SP Alex Cobb (31), P Wild Bill Widner (27)

TWIWBL 23.2: The All-Star Game

By mknn

On February 10, 2022

In All Star Games, TWIWBL

Alright, everyone, here we go: the first annual All-Star Game in WBL history.

The game will open with Dennis Martínez (Baltimore Black Sox) on the mound and Tom Herr (Birmingham Black Barons) digging in at the plate. Herr is one of the feel-good stories of the year, starting the year at AAA and now the heart of a struggling Black Barons squad.

Herr slaps a hard ground ball towards right, but Eddie Collins (Chicago American Giants) makes a nice diving stop. A good throw and Herr is out by a step to open the game. Martínez retired Joe Mauer (Portland Sea Dogs) and Reggie Jackson (San Francisco Sea Lions) for a scoreless opening half-inning.

Red Ruffing (New York Black Yankees) got the start for the NL, facing Collins, who fouled a few pitches off before sending Ruffing’s seventh delivery into the left field stands for a 1-0 NL lead. Baltimore’s Bobby Wallace and Chicago’s Frank Thomas grounded out to Jim Fregosi (Portland) at SS, but Elrod Hendricks (House of David) drew a two-out walk before Duffy Lewis (Chicago) flew out to center to end the inning.

Martínez came back out for the second inning, but gave up an infield single to Babe Ruth (Black Yankees) and a soft liner into right to Ron Blomberg (Cleveland Spiders). With the bullpen in full swing, Kent Hrbek (Portland) flew out to right for the first out, with Ruth moving to third. Bobby Murcer (Portland) would score Ruth with a sacrifice to left, tying the game.

Ruffing walked Willie Mays (New York Gothams) to open the bottom of the second. Hank Greenberg (Detroit Wolverines) replaced Mays at first on a fielder’s choice, and scored when WBL RBI leader Doug Rader (Los Angeles) launched a homerun. A single by Joe Jackson (Chicago) chased Ruffing from the game, with Birmingham’s Tim Hudson taking his place on the mound. Hudson retired the next two batters, ending the threat with the AL up, 3-1.

The WBL leader in wins, Gerrit Cole (Los Angeles), took the mound in the top of the 3rd and delivered a scoreless inning. Little of note–other than a ton of substitutions–happened until the top of the 4th, when Lefty Grove (San Francisco) gave up hits to Greenberg (who was replaced at first by Reggie Smith of the Memphis Red Sox) and George Stone (House of David). That brought in Cleveland’s Cy Young, who retired Joe Jackson and Collins to close the inning.

The game was uneventful (again, other than the substitutions) until the bottom of the 6th, when Ted Williams (Memphis) greeted Don Drysedale (Brooklyn Royal Giants) with a leadoff homerun, making the score 4-1. Williams’ teammate, Reggie Smith, followed with a single, but was left stranded.

The AL pitchers had allowed only 2 hits until, with one out in the top of the 7th, Chuck Knoblauch doubled off of Mark Melancon (Houston Colt 45’s). After another out, Rolen walked and pinch-hitter Johnny Bench (Indianapolis) doubled to left-center, scoring two to make the score 4-3.

With 2 outs in the bottom of the inning, Curt Blefary (Baltimore) singled, with Freddy Parent (Ottawa Mounties) pinch-running for him. Dick Allen followed with a single, sending Parent to third. Ron Reed relieved Ken Howell and retired Williams to end the inning, so we went to the 8th with the AL leading, 4-3.

The AL turned to Brian Wilson in the top of the 9th to close the game. He walked Knoblauch to lead off the inning, but got a flyout from Eric Davis (Black Yankees) for the first out, bringing up his teammate, Mickey Mantle, for his first at-bat of the game. Mantle walked, and that was it for Wilson, who was replaced by Mike Henneman (Detroit).

Henneman fanned Bench and got Rickey Henderson to groundout, and the AL wins, 4-3.

The NL only managed 5 hits in the game, and only the AL’s Blefary had 2 hits, with his teammate Rader’s 2 RBI’s the most seen on the day. That earned Rader the MVP award. Cole (who earned the victory), Reed, and Craig Kimbrel were the most impressive pitchers on the day.

NL 3 (Ruffing 0-1) @ AL 4 (Cole 1-0; Henneman 1 Sv; Pettitte 1 H; Melancon 1 H; Kimbrel 1 H; Nichols 1 H; Wilson 1 H)
HRs: AL – Collins (1), Rader (1), Williams (1)
Box Score

TWIWBL 21.1: NL All Star Selections

By mknn

On January 26, 2022

In All Star Games, TWIWBL

AL All Stars here.

The final choice was the hardest, as the NL decided to go with only 11 pitchers, electing to select both Rickey Henderson and Josh Gibson over Joseíto Muñoz‘ arm in the bullpen.

Predictably, the New York Black Yankees have the most players going with seven, but the Portland Sea Dogs will supply four of the starters for the NL.

The Indianapolis ABC’s and the Miami Cuban Giants will have a single representative each.

Catchers

Portland’s Joe Mauer is the starting backstop. The question here is whether Thurman Munson (Black Yankees) has done enough to overtake Indianapolis’ Johnny Bench behind him. Munson’s OPS is .001 higher, and he’s spent a little more time behind the plate. But Bench has played more overall, and leads Munson in all counting stats other than doubles. It’s a bit of a moot point, as all three make the team.

That potentially leaves two deserving players off the roster: the Homestead Grays‘ Josh Gibson is putting up incredible numbers for a teenager and Mauer’s teammate, Iván Rodríguez, would easily make the team if he had more playing time (it’s a pretty good problem for the Sea Dogs to have).

Johnny Bench (IND). 278/394/542.
Josh Gibson (HOM). 315/406/472.
Joe Mauer (POR). 317/401/545.
Thurman Munson (NYY). 330/392/544; 20 2B.
Iván Rodríguez (POR). 352/370/555.

First Base

Three players have an OPS over 1.000 but only one will make the roster as a first baseman. The Cleveland Spiders‘ Ron Blomberg will start for the NL, but at DH, while Portland’s Kent Hrbek will take the field at first. The third player, Blomberg’s teammate John Ellis, just hasn’t played enough, with under 200 plate appearances. Still, those numbers are a little hard to ignore.

New York’s Lou Gehrig deserves a selection, but like Blomberg, he’s seen the field very rarely, so he’ll also make the roster as a DH. Finally, both Homestead’s Mike Epstein and Indianapolis’ Jake Stahl deserve a very close look for a roster spot, but with both Blomberg and Gehrig ahead of them, it’s not clear they’ll make it. In the end, Epstein is the strongest candidate from the Grays, so he does make the roster.

Ron Blomberg (CLE). 335/405/618; 18 HR; 18 2B; 49 RBI; 48 R.
John Ellis (CLE). 311/351/659; 16 HR.
Mike Epstein (HOM). 336/438/521.
Lou Gehrig (NYY). 284/382/591; 16 HR.
Kent Hrbek (POR). 322/393/617; 22 HR; 54 RBI; 53 R.
Jake Stahl (IND). 277/337/564.

Second Base

Despite Tom Herr‘s recent slump, the Birmingham Black Barons‘ second baseman remains a media darling, and was anointed as the all star starter many moons ago. It’s a little unfair to Cleveland’s Chuck Knoblauch, who really has surpassed Herr by a hair. Herr has been the superior fielder by quite a bit, so perhaps that justifies his getting the starting nod.

After those two, it’s hard. Indianapolis’ Joe Morgan deserves it, but has played in barely over half the ABC’s games. The other two candidates–the San Francisco Sea Lion‘s Jimmy Bloodworth and the Brooklyn Royal Giant‘s Jackie Robinson–come with their own concerns. In Robinson’s case, he’s really played much more at 1B, where his offensive contribution is decidedly mediocre; Bloodworth’s numbers are just a tad weaker across the board than the others.

Jimmy Bloodworth (SFS). 282/320/467.
Tom Herr (BBB). 310/355/440. 16 2B.
Chuck Knoblauch (CLE). 300/353/451. 16 2B.
Joe Morgan (IND). 301/385/412.
Jackie Robinson (BRK). 273/338/485.

Third Base

The hot corner is a little weak in the NL. The Philadelphia Star‘s Scott Rolen is among the better hitters and has been–by far–the flashiest with the leather, so he gets the starting nod.

Portland’s Buddy Bell has hit better than Rolen, but is both mired in a slump and has been weaker defensively. Still, it’s enough to make the team. After those two … who knows? Brooklyn’s Ron Cey has been fine, and if there is a need for a third player, he’s likely it. San Francisco’s Pedro Guerrero has neither played enough in general, nor enough at 3B to warrant inclusion, but he has been a force offensively.

Buddy Bell (POR). 290/354/506; 44 RBI.
Ron Cey (BRK). 242/350/465.
Pedro Guerrero (SFS). 298/367/530.
Scott Rolen (PHI). 284/353/491. 19 2B.

Shortstop

Offensively, there are really only two contenders: Portland’s Jim Fregosi and New York’s Derek Jeter. Both have been below average defensively, but Fregosi has been better than Jeter: between that and his better offensive output, he gets the starting nod.

Homestead’s Arky Vaughan has been spectacular defensively, but it’s not clear it’s been enough to offset a very poor offensive showing, while San Francisco’s Dick Lundy was making a good argument before he got injured.

Jim Fregosi (POR). 286/356/435; 16 2B.
Derek Jeter (NYY). 278/325/393; 17 2B.
Dick Lundy (SFS). 278/292/421.
Arky Vaughan (HOM). 223/340/327.

Left Fielders

Even with his numbers dropping over the past few weeks, Babe Ruth of the New York Black Yankees is the dominant player here. There is a bit of a drop after Ruth, with possible arguments being made for Philadelphia’s Rico Carty and Portland’s Harry Hooper. None of those three players bring much defensively, and taking that into consideration, Brooklyn’s Roy White and Homestead’s Rick Reichardt, and perhaps San Francisco’s Rickey Henderson enter the conversation.

Finally, there is the Albert Belle conundrum: his numbers are beyond impressive, but he’s not played a lot of innings.

Albert Belle (NYY). 315/377/558; 18 2B.
Rico Carty (PHI). 287/354/470; 25 2B.
Rickey Henderson (SFS). 261/398/370; 52 R; 50 SB.
Harry Hooper (POR). 297/399/418; 45 R.
Rick Reichardt (HOM). 284/372/436; 42 RBI.
Babe Ruth (NYY). 305/413/649; 24 HR; 16 2B; 67 RBI; 58 R.
Roy White (BRK). 284/352/451; 17 2B.

Center Fielders

Now things get a little more interesting.

Bobby Murcer (Portland) is the clear starter, but an argument can be made for another four players behind him: San Francisco’s Bobby Bonds, Brooklyn’s Duke Snider, and the Davis twins–New York’s Eric Davis and Philadelphia’s Willie Davis–are all fairly indistinguishable. Eric was once considered the lock starter, but has slumped recently, but he is still certain to make the squad.

Eric Davis and Snider have been among the better defenders, bolstering each of their arguments as well.

Bobby Bonds (SFS). 314/364/531; 26 SB.
Eric Davis (NYY). 286/337/557; 22 HR; 66 RBI; 55 R; 35 SB.
Willie Davis (PHI). 299/358/537.
Bobby Murcer (POR). 327/402/567; 15 2B; 48 RBI; 46 R.
Duke Snider (BRK). 327/363/548; 16 HR; 44 RBI.

Right Field

The starter is the most obvious selection of all: triple-crown threat Reggie Jackson of the San Francisco Seals earns the honor. Behind Jackson, New York’s Mickey Mantle and Miami’s José Canseco are the clear choices, with Homestead’s Roberto Clemente forcing himself into the conversation over the last few weeks.

José Canseco (MCG). 295/365/502; 41 R.
Roberto Clemente (HOM). 309/336/486; 15 2B; 40 RBI.
Reggie Jackson (SFS). 356/453/648; 16 2B; 16 HR; 44 R.
Mickey Mantle (NYY). 292/399/456; 48 R.

Starting Pitchers

Red Ruffing of the New York Black Yankees has come out of nowhere to be in the conversation for the starting slot for the AL with a 9-2 record. San Francisco’s Lefty Grove is close behind at 8-2, and several pitchers have 7 wins. Brooklyn’s Don Drysedale leads the AL in ERA among starters, and Cleveland’s workhorse Cy Young leads in WHIP. So those four feel pretty solid. Two more Black Yankees–Waite Hoyt and WBL strikeout leader Ron Guidry (whose last few starts have probably moved him off the roster)–are in the conversation, as is Miami’s Camilo Pascual and Portland’s Walter Johnson.

Pascual and Guidry have losing records, making their selection harder to justify, although Pascual plays for a bad team, making that less of an issue for him.

Finally, Tim Hudson of the Birmingham Black Barons has forced his way onto the roster, despite being a few inning short of qualifying as a starting pitcher. Going 5-0 with an ERA under 3.00 and a WHIP under 1.00 will do that.

Don Drysedale (BRK). 5-3; 3.23; 1.19 WHIP.
Lefty Grove (SFS). 8-2; 3.49; 1.30 WHIP.
Ron Guidry (NYY). 5-6; 4.27; 1.25 WHIP.
Waite Hoyt (NYY). 5-1; 3.51; 1.22 WHIP.
Tim Hudson (BBB). 5-0; 2.73; 0.93 WHIP.
Walter Johnson (POR). 7-3; 3.83 ERA; 1.30 WHIP.
Camilo Pascual (MCG). 4-6; 3.42; 1.27 WHIP.
Red Ruffing (NYY). 9-2; 3.79; 1.32 WHIP.
Cy Young (CLE). 6-3; 3.54; 1.17 WHIP.

Relief Pitchers

For the closers, WBL save leader Johan Santana of Portland is an automatic choice, as are Cleveland’s Terry Adams and San Francisco’s Rod Beck. And then it becomes a matter of tradeoffs: Philadelphia’s Bob Howry‘s other numbers are great, but his ERA is over 5.00 while Brooklyn’s Watty Clark and Miami’s Aroldis Chapman have a decent number of saves, but probably fall short.

Portland’s Elmer Brown and San Francisco’s Ron Robinson have 9 Holds each, trailing Philadelphia’s Ron Reed, who has 12.

Indianapolis’ Willie Mitchell has been absolutely dominant, with an ERA barely over 1.00, but it’s hard to really choose between him, San Francisco’s Ken Howell and Charlie Root, and Portland’s Joseíto Muñoz.

Terry Adams (CLE). 0-3; 17 Sv; 2.91; 1.66 WHIP.
Rod Beck (SFS). 1-1; 16 Sv; 2.65; 1 H; 0.76 WHIP.
Elmer Brown (POR). 2-4; 4 Sv; 2.35; 9 H; 1.14 WHIP.
Aroldis Chapman (MCG). 201; 12 Sv; 1.59 ERA; 2.06 WHIP.
Watty Clark (BRK). 3-1; 13 Sv; 1.66; 1.11 WHIP.
Ken Howell (SFS). 3-3; 3 Sv; 1.45; 3 H; 0.97 WHIP.
Bob Howry (PHI). 2-3; 16 Sv; 5.04; 1.66 WHIP.
Willie Mitchell (IND). 2-2; 1 Sv; 1.08; 1 H; 1.16 WHIP.
Joseíto Muñoz (POR). 3-1; 3 Sv; 1.19; 2 H; 1.02 WHIP.
Ron Reed (PHI). 0-2; 3 Sv; 2.72; 12 H; 1.13 WHIP.
Ron Robinson (SFS). 4-1; 3.45; 9 H; 1.36 WHIP.
Charlie Root (SFS). 4-1; 2.98; 0.99 WHIP.
Johan Santana (POR). 1-1; 22 Sv; 2.57; 1 H; 1.48 WHIP.

Selections by Team

Listed alphabetically, Italic indicates a starter.

Birmingham Black Barons: Tom Herr (2B); Tim Hudson (P).
Brooklyn Royal Giants: Don Drysedale (P).
Cleveland Spiders: Terry Adams (P); Ron Blomberg (DH); Chuck Knoblauch (2B); Cy Young (P).
Homestead Grays: Mike Epstein (1B); Josh Gibson (C).
Indianapolis ABC’s: Johnny Bench (C)
Miami Cuban Giants: José Canseco (RF)
New York Black Yankees. Eric Davis (CF); Lou Gehrig (1B); Derek Jeter (SS); Mickey Mantle (RF); Thurman Munson (C); Red Ruffing (P); Babe Ruth (LF).
Philadelphia Stars: Ron Reed (P); Scott Rolen (3B).
Portland Sea Dogs: Buddy Bell (3B); Jim Fregosi (SS); Kent Hrbek (1B); Joe Mauer (C); Bobby Murcer (CF); Johan Santana (P).
San Francisco Sea Lions: Rod Beck (P); Lefty Grove (P); Rickey Henderson (LF); Ken Howell (P); Reggie Jackson (RF); Charlie Root (P).

Series XV Featured Game: Baltimore Black Sox @ Birmingham Black Barons

By mknn

On October 29, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

The opening and closing matches between the Baltimore Black Sox and the Birmingham Black Barons were both worthy of consideration as the Game of the Series.

The first game started with Birmingham taking it to the best team in the league, with the legend that is Tom Herr and Dale Murphy both going deep. Earlier in the season, Murphy was sent to AAA after an absolutely horrific start to the season, and while he’s not exactly setting the world on fire, he has been doing better since his recall.

A Frank Isbell homerun extended Birmingham’s lead to 4-3, but the Black Sox tied it up in the top of the 5th when Ken Singleton drove in 2 with a single.

And there it stayed until the bottom of the 7th, when there goes that man again as Herr doubled and scored on a single by Bob Nieman. But Bobby Wallace took Hoyt Wilhelm deep for a 2-run shot and for a brief moment, the world was normal once more, with Baltimore on top, 6-5.

I did say briefly. Hank Aaron led off the bottom of the inning against Mike Mussina with a solo shot of his own, knotting the contest at 6.

And there we stayed, until the top of the 13th, when Bryce Harper singled home Curt Blefary for a 7-6 lead for Baltimore. And with Don Bessent heading out for the bottom of the frame, Black Sox fans began to pack up … but Aaron would lead off with a single, moving to 3rd on a base-hit from Pie Traynor. He would score on a groundout by Del Crandall, which moved Traynor to third … and Curtis Granderson would deliver the walk-off base-hit for an improbable victory for The Black Barons.

But the series wasn’t done delivering the goods. Baltimore’s Bill Byrd threw a 3-hit shutout in game 2, and Birmingham rode big days from Aaron and Isbell to win game 3.

That brought us to what could be a great pitching matchup, with Baltimore’s Ned Garvin taking on Birmingham’s Tim Hudson. Neither pitcher were in their team’s rotations at the start of the year (Hudson was in AAA), and both were doing fantastically well.

Garvin came into the game at 5-2 with a 2.47 ERA and Hudson at 5-0 with a 2.70 ERA.

And, for once, the matchup held! Hudson had a shutout through 6 innings while Garvin’s line was only marred by a 2-run homerun from Granderson.

The 7th was definitive for the game: Hudson gave up a homerun to Blefary and an RBI single to tie the game in the top of the frame, but Garvin was touched for an RBI double from Murphy and a run-scoring single from Frank McCormick, extending the lead to 4-2.

Neither starter would make it out of the 8th, as a solo shot from Frank Robinson chased Hudson. His replacement, Steve Bedrosian, was greeted by Blefary’s second homerun of the game, with the back-to-back jacks tying the game at 4.

Buddy Groom came in for Baltimore to start the bottom of the 8th, and gave up an RBI double to Aaron and a 2-run shot to Troy Tulowitzki, putting the Black Barons back in front, and their closer, Juan Rincon came on to shut the door on the 7-4 victory.

So, a great series with an especially thrilling two games.

BAL 7 (Bessent 1-2, 1 B Sv) @ BBB 8 (Benton 1-1; Wilhelm 1 B Sv) [13 Innings]
HRs: BAL – Wallace (4); BBB – Murphy (1), Herr (2), Aaron (8), Isbell (1)
Box Score

BAL 4 (Groom 1-1) @ BBB 7 (Bedrosian 1-0, 1 BSv)
HRs: BAL – Blefary 2 (18), Robinson (14); BBB – Granderson (7), Tulowitzki (7)
Box Score

Other Games of Note

That’s more like it. After struggling in his first start, Sandy Koufax delivered perhaps the finest start in the league so far, a 1-hit shutout of Kansas City. Koufax walked 2 and struck out 8 in the 3-0 victory. Brooklyn took the lead on a solo homerun from Roy White, and was helped out by2 hits from Duke Snider. Luke Hamlin pitched quite well, but still took the loss and Kansas City’s only hit was a double by Stan Musial in the top of the first.

KCM 0 (Hamlin 3-5) @ BRK 3 (Koufax 2-2)
HRs: BRK – White (7)
Box Score

The opening game of the Cleveland Spiders’ visit to Houston was an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. For the Colt 45’s, Roy Oswalt‘s only error in 8 innings was a first inning homerun by Ron Blomberg as the Houston starter only allowed 5 hits and 2 walks in that span. But Cleveland’s Bob Feller was even better, throwing a 6-hit shutout with 9 whiffs over 7.2 innings. Trevor Hoffman came on in the top of the 9th, and Blomberg took him deep for his 2nd of the day, and the Spiders’ closer, Terry Adams, made it stand up.

CLE 3 (Feller 5-4; Gearrin 4 H; Adams 14 Sv) @ HOU 0 (Oswalt 5-4)
HRs: CLE – Blomberg 2 (15)
Box Score

The series closer between Indianapolis and Miami was notable for a few reasons. First, Miami’s Dontrelle Willis was making his first career start. It did not go well, as Willis was touched for 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 innings. But Indianapolis’ Red Faber fared little better, surrendering 7 runs in only 5 innings of work. The Cuban Giants’ Eustaquio Pedroso delivered 3 solid innings of relief en route to the victory for Miami, which also saw Alejandro Oms hit for the first cycle in WBL history. Jim Thome added 3 hits and 2 homeruns for Miami, and Oscar Charleston and Ed Charles had strong days at the plate for the ABC’s. Finally, Aroldis Chapman did indeed record his 11th save, but he did it in Chapman style, giving up 2 walks while walking his tightrope.

IND 6 (Faber 4-4) @ MCG 9 (Pedroso 3-4; Condrey 2 H; Bauta 8 H; Chapman 11 Sv)
HRs: MCG – Oms (2), Thome 2 (9)
Box Score

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview II – Right Fielders

By mknn

On October 7, 2021

In All Star Games

{ With under three weeks until the All Star Teams are announced, we’re looking at what’s changed since our original previews. }

Preview I here.

#AL – Bill James & Cum Posey Divisions

Original Selections: Ted Williams, Joe Jackson, Stan Musial.

Nothing has changed from the original discussion. It’s all about sorting through Memphis’ Williams, Chicago’s Jackson, Kansas City’s Musial, and Detroit’s Ty Cobb. In the first preview, I was able to use Cobb’s fewer innings played as the differentiator; now that’s no longer an issue. So, how do you decide between

Cobb: .958 OPS
Jackson: 1.054 OPS, 14 HR, 45 RBI
Musial: 1.012 OPS
Williams: .920 OPS, 12 HR

Cobb has still played less than the others, but Williams’ recent mini-slump is an issue. At the end of the day, all four should make it, but keeping it to three, right now I would have Jackson as the starter, with Musial and Cobb.

The AI picks all four.

#NL – Effa Manley & Marvin Miller Divisions

Original Selections: Ron Blomberg, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle.

San Francisco’s Jackson’s run at the triple crown makes him the obvious starter in this group: a 1.134 OPS will tend to do that. That slides him ahead of Cleveland’s Blomberg, but his 13 homeruns and 1.054 OPS keep him as a selection, for sure.

The final spot is harder to assign. Miami has very few bright spots, and Jose Canseco is one of them with an .828 OPS. If he ends up being the Cuban Giants sole representative, that wouldn’t be too horrible. But the Black Yankees’ Mantle has outhit Canseco, with an OPS roughly .030 higher. And, Indianapolis’ Oscar Charleston continues to linger on the edge of the conversation, with an OPS at .800 and the best defense in right field in the league.

Currently, I would stick with Jackson, Blomberg, and Mantle, but I think that could change. The AI selects Jackson and Blomberg, along with Bobby Bonds, who made it as CF in our selections.

TWIWBL 15.3: Series XII Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On August 25, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Ron Blomberg had 3 hits and 4 RBIs, leading the Spiders to an opening game victory over the New York Gothams, 9-4. Cleveland OF Johnny Bates had an odd day: 3 walks and 2 sacrifice bunts, meaning he walked up to the plate 5 times without an official at-bat. The win went to Cy Young, now 3-2, and Doug Corbett pitched 2 scoreless innings to close it out for his first save.

Nap Lajoie and Evan Longoria were both sent to AAA to try to get their swings on track. IF Bobby Knoop and OF Kenny Lofton were recalled to Cleveland. The challenge for the Spiders remains juggling playing time at DH/C/1B, with Blomberg, Louis Santop, John Ellis, and Jake Stahl among their better contributors.

#Homestead Grays

Earl Hamilton moved into the starting rotation, but the fifth slot remains up in the air, with Carlos Zambrano recovering a bit from his early season struggles and John Candelaria not showing enough to stake a solid claim. Cliff Lee was sent to AAA. With a slash line of 162/311/216, Peaches Graham should be joining him, but there aren’t a lot of options in the minors, and Graham’s ability to get on base has some value, especially given how limited his role is as Josh Gibson‘s backup.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Lefty James will miss about 3 weeks with a sore elbow, which is a blow to the Indianapolis bullpen as the lefty was 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA. Octavio Dotel was promoted from AAA to take James’ place.

Clay Carroll has been struggling in his bullpen role, but not enough to warrant demotion, at least not until the ABC’s learn more about what they have in Dotel. 3B has been a problem spot for Indianapolis all season. Chase Headley‘s demotion to AAA hands the fulltime job to Ed Charles, but it’s not clear that’s a long-term solution. Barry Larkin was recalled to take Headley’s spot, but he’s more likely to pressure Davey Concepcion at SS than to challenge for the 3B job.

#New York Black Yankees

Jack Scott opened the series against Houston with a 6-hit shutout victory, 4-0. Mickey Mantle, Albert Belle, and Thurman Munson each had 2 hits, with Munson extending his hitting streak to 21 games.

In a game that saw Munson’s hitting streak end at 22 games, the Black Yankees clawed their way back to a walk-off win in 12 innings. Babe Ruth plated Derek Jeter with a hit through the drawn-in infield to give Goose Gossage his 3rd victory on the season. Gossage, Ralph Citarella, and Dellin Betances combined for 5 innings of 1-hit relief after a strong start from Waite Hoyt. Belle had 3 hits, Ruth and Jeter 2 each.

The recent dip in form by the Black Yankees has revived the question of what to do with Willie Randolph and Craig Counsell, neither of whom are hitting well enough to justify a big league roster spot. The challenge is that there really aren’t any options, especially with New York carrying 12 pitchers. Aaron Hill was promoted to AAA, and if he does well there, he may replace Counsell on the big league roster shortly.

#Philadelphia Stars

Led by Buck Freeman‘s 7th homerun of the year and Robin Roberts‘ best start, the Stars put together walk-off, 3-2 victory over Brooklyn. The win went to Bob McClure in relief of Roberts, and was sealed by an RBI single from Sherm Lollar, scoring Scott Rolen.

The top of Philadelphia’s lineup–Chase Utley and Gavvy Cravath–went 5-for-9 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBIs, leading the Stars over Brooklyn, 11-3. Utley, Sherry Magee, and Rico Carty all homered, and Ray Collins improved to 5-2 on the season with John Montgomery Ward throwing 3+ scoreless innings for his second save of the season.

Philadelphia is in a hard situation with Bill Dickey at C and Mickey Doolin at SS, both of whom are stretching credulity on how much defensive value a player can add. Both Dickey and Doolin carry OPS’ below .500, but for now both retain their jobs. The Stars would love recently recalled Jimmy Rollins to show more offensively to push Doolin, but so far, no luck.

TWIWBL 13.3: Series XI Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On August 10, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders 8-3 win over Chicago could be important for their season. Whit Wyatt produced another fine performance, Stan Coveleski improved to 3-0 with 2.2 innings of perfect relief, Ron Blomberg continued his fantastic season with his 10th homerun and a 2-for-5 day at the plate, Louis Santop went 3-for-4, and, perhaps most importantly, Larry Doby also went 3-for-4, dragging his average closer and closer to .200.

2 hits and 2 RBIs from Jake Stahl backed another good start from Bill Steen in a 5-2 win for Cleveland. Steen had to leave with a back injury, but he looks like he won’t miss more than about a week. The win went to Hardie Henderson in relief, despite his allowing both of Chicago’s runs.

Steen was put on the DL, with Doug Corbett recalled from AAA.

#Homestead Grays

Hal Carlson and Bartolo Colon combined to blank the House of David on 6 hits, 5-0. The Grays were powered by an unlikely source, as Rick Reichardt went 3-for-5 with 4 RBIs, hitting 2 homeruns on the day. Davey Johnson had 2 hits, and Peaches Graham threw out 3 baserunners in the game.

2 homeruns, 3 hits, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs from Mike Epstein and a strong start from Vean Gregg led the Grays in an 11-2 romp over the House of David. Gregg improved his record to 3-4 with 7.2 strong innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

It looked like a 3-run pinch-hit homerun by Portland’s Gil Hodges had resigned the ABC’s to defeat in the series opener, but they came back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the 8th for an 8-5 victory led by Jake Stenzel‘s 3 hits and 3 RBIs. Light hitting SS Davey Concepcion added a key 2-run double, and Lefty James–despite giving up a lead–got the win, moving to 3-1, with Rob Murphy picking up his 3rd save.

Rob Dibble blew his second save of the year, but a key pinch single from Edd Roush set up a sacrifice fly from Hal Morris in the bottom of the 9th to give Dibble his second victory of the season. Johnny Cueto put in a strong shift: 7 innings, 4 hits, only 1 earned run, but wasn’t part of the decision.

In the series finale, Danny Hoffman hit 2 homeruns, Joe Morgan had 3 hits, and Oscar Charleston had 3 RBIs in a 10-2 victory. Rube Foster improved his record to 4-2 with 8 strong innings.

#Philadelphia Stars

The Stars blew open a tight game with 5 runs in the 7th en route to an 8-2 victory over Detroit. Philadelphia had 19 hits–16 of which were singles–with Sherry Magee going 4-for-6 with 3 RBIs and Buck Freeman, Scott Rolen, George Hendrick, and Jose Ramirez each adding 3 hits. Don Carman–hit pretty hard in his WBL debut–got the start, and did OK, giving up 7 hits, but only 1 run, in 4.2 innings. Rheal Cormier moved to 4-0 with 2.1 innings of 1 hit relief.

The middle of the Stars’ lineup–Rico Carty, Ted Kluszewski, and Freeman–powered the Stars to an 8-6 victory in the series finale. The trio went 8-for-14 with 6 runs scored and 6 RBIs, and Carty and Kluszewski both went deep. Pete Alexander struggled through 6 innings, but got the victory, and Bob Howry picked up his 12th save of the year.

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview – Right Fielders

By mknn

On August 5, 2021

In All Star Games, TWIWBL

{ 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. }

#AL Right Fielders – Bill James & Cum Posey Divisions

The problem in the AL is there are four must-haves.

It took a little while for Detroit’s 20-year old wunderkind Ty Cobb to force his way into the starting lineup, but he’s slashing 348/385/607 and clearly deserves consideration here.

Memphis’ Ted Williams has been rock solid for the Red Sox at 304/391/567 with 10 homeruns and 34 RBI.

Shoeless Joe Jackson is slashing 343/440/614 with 11 homeruns and 38 RBI for Chicago.

And, Kansas City’s Stan Musial is at 361/422/600 with 9 homeruns and 35 RBI.

You can really stop the discussion there.

If I were limited to three, I would drop Cobb due to his having significantly less playing time. But he’s an everyday player now, and I would gladly sacrifice elsewhere to include all four of them.

The AI agrees, picking all four to the summer classic.

#NL Right Fielders – Effa Manley & Marvin Miller Divisions

One of the surprises of the league has been the superlative performance of Cleveland’s Ron Blomberg, who is hitting 335/411/615 with 11 homeruns and 35 RBIs. The starting RF is either Blomberg or San Francisco’s Reggie Jackson, who is chugging along at 362/483/623 without showing any signs of a slump.

There is a gap, then, to the Black Yankees’ Mickey Mantle (who has seen more time in RF than CF so far) at 297/421/436 and Miami’s Jose Canseco (296/370/456).

It’s a bit of a conundrum. Roberto Clemente of the Grays has been the best defensive RF, maybe, but at 276/300/411 just hasn’t produced enough.

So, Blomberg and Jackson are shoo-ins, and if I had to pick someone after them, it would be Mantle, unless Canseco ends up being Miami’s only representative?

The AI cheats, picking Jackson’s teammate, Bobby Bonds, who is really a CF, as the 3rd right fielder.