Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Thurman Munson

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

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.

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
Lou Gehrig of the New York Blank Yankees

New York Black Yankees

New York Highlanders / New York Yankees

AAA – Newark Eagles
AA – Hudson Valley Renegades
A – Staten Island Yankees

Bill James Division

WBL | Home PageRoster | Leaders | News | Transactions

The WAR budget limits just how dominant the Black Yankees will be from the get-go. Still, there is so much talent in this franchise. I have a prejudice for “The Bronx Zoo,” and considered both Thurman Munson and Sparky Lyle for the banner, but settled on Columbia-era Lou Gehrig.

Yankee Stadium (52,325)
HR: 1.092 | BA: .990
Washington Park (32,000)
HR: .824 | BA: .989
Doubleday Field (9,800)
HR: 1.445 | BA: .869
McCoy Stadium (10,031)
HR: .952 | BA: .952

2000: 2nd Place, .526.

2001 Projections

As of the end of Spring Training.

CThurman Munson
Manny Sanguillén
Eric MacKenzieDarrin Fletcher
Benny Bengough
Josh Thole
Bill Killefer
Gary Alexander
Eddie Fusselback
1BLou Gehrig
Don Mattingly
Nick Etten
Fred Whitfield
Harry Spilman
Ryan Garko
Hal Chase
Jerry Freeman
anthony volpe
2BTom HerrWillie Randolph
Aaron Hill
Hardy Richardson
Jack Crooks
Devon Travis
Mariano Duncan
Ramon Torres
SSDerek JeterAlex Arias
Pee Wee Reese
Alcides Escobar
Jim O’Neill
Mark Gruzielanek
charlie irwin
Dansby Swanson
3BMike Schmidt
Héctor López
elliott maddox
Josh Harrison
Red Rolve
Heinie Groh
Doug DeCinces
Lou ChiozzaHarry Bauchman
OFBabe Ruth
Eric Davis
Mickey Mantle
Bill Lange
Mickey Rivers
Roger Maris
Jayson Werth
Ron Pruitt
Ollie Pickering
Julio Borbón
Kevin Pillar
Hank Bauer

Wally Rehg
Phil Cavaretta
Jim Rivera
Nick Swisher
Bob Burda
Clyde Milan
Gene Moore Jr

Bob Meusel
Danny Walton
brett gardner
aaron hicks
Nick Evans
Steve Hosey
SPJack Scott
Ron Guidry
Waite Hoyt
Andy Pettitte
Dave Righetti
Lady Baldwin
AJ Burnett
Whitey Ford
Vic Raschi
Alex Main
Bill Monbouquette
Art Ditmar
Sean Newcomb
Cal Edlred
John Danks
Carlos Rodón
Arnie Portocarrero
Dave Williams
Carlos Silva
Don Liddle
RPAroldis Chapman
Rheal Cormier
Goose Gossage
Gary Lavelle
David Robertson
Sparky Lyle
Rick Porcello
Tony Brizzolara
Hooks Dauss
Erv Palica
Herm Wehmeier
Paul Shuey
Dewey Adkins
Danny Coombs
Ron Bryant
José Veras
Severino González
Jeff Nelson
Charlie Maloney
Kevin Hart
Andres Berumen
Mark Guthrie
UPNoah Syndergaard
Red Ruffing
Jake Peavy
Ryne Duren
Ben Cantwell
Mike Fornieles
Clyde Shoun
Roy Evans
Jesse Orosco
Ed Nunez
Mike Fetters
Jim Corsi
Fred Glade
Don Hood
Jack Spring
Ralph Citrarella
Mike Bacsik
scott kamieniecki
Jeff Bennett
Bryan Hickerson
Mike Caldwell
5+ Year Contracts; 2-4 year contracts; future rights; Injured

Seed Players: Whitey Ford (P); Lou Gehrig (1B); Ron Guidry (P); Mickey Mantle (OF); Thurman Munson (C); Hardy Richardson (2B); Babe Ruth (OF).
Franchise Rights: Goose Gossage (P); Derek Jeter (SS); Don Mattingly (1B); Willie Randolph (2B).
Future Rights: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mariano Rivera, Dave Winfield.

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