Tag: Tony Mullane

Spring Training Questions

All the focus will be on the pitching staff, with the reserve positions also taking some attention.

Injuries

CF Edd Roush is doubtful for opening day with a back injury.

Hal White saw his slim hopes of making the ABC’s roster dashed as a torn labrum will keep him out of action for around 4 months.

First Cuts

Some of the pitching clarified: Tom Glavine, Paul Derringer, and Chris Hammond were each sent down to the minors. That leaves a lot of arms in camp, but the next week should sort out quite a few of them.

Cs Larry Pratt and Admiral Schlei were sent down as well, along with corner IFs Hal Morris, Edwin Encarnación, and Dan Driessen, clearing up a lot of the logjam at 1B. Tommy Helms and Buddy Myer were also moved out of camp.

In the middle infield, Dario Lodigiani and Davey Concepción have both been turning heads at 2B and SS respectively, while Lonny Frey, hitless over 6 games, was sent down.

Joe Keough has been quite impressive, but the other longshot OFers (Emil Frisk, Charlie Hemphill, and Curt Walker) were all sent down after the first week.

Second Cuts

Tony Mullane and Eppa Rixey were sent to AAA.

The ABC’s still believe in Robin Ventura, preferring to keep him in camp over teenager Bob Aspromonte, despite the latter having a slight edge in performance.

Nobody is hitting at 2B, with Joe Morgan and Denis Menke combining to go zero for 30. Their performance last year keeps them around, but Craig Counsell, lacking that pedigree, cannot overcome his sub .400 OPS.

The OF remains overcrowded, with 10 players still in camp. The bottom performers–Danny Hoffman, Jake Stenzel, and the injured Edd Roush–did enough last year, and the newcomers–Adam Dunn, George Foster, Pete Rose, and Joe Keough–are all hitting well.

Third Cuts

The pitching staff is very slowly coming into focus, with Virgil Trucks‘ and Jim Maloney‘s demotion. Maloney pitched well but at 19 needs some more seasoning–especially to master his control issues–before joining the WBL club.

Bo Díaz, Sean Casey, and Pete Rose were sent to AAA.

It was assumed that Denis Menke would be the opening day SS–and he likely will be–but his inability to hit combined with decent performances from both Barry Larkin and Davey Concepción are pushing him.

Three presumed OF contributors–Jake Stenzel, Edd Roush, and Danny Hoffman–are all struggling, while George Foster and Joe Keough are playing very well, throwing the ABC’s reserve OF situation into some chaos (Oscar Charleston, Dave Henderson, and Bob Bescher are all solid as starters).

Final Cuts

Tony Mullane was returned to AAA to clear some space in the rotation. Mullane refused to head to the minors, and ended up being released–making him immediately perhaps the best arm in the FA market.

The battle to carry Johnny Bench‘s glove is reduced by one, as Bo Díaz heads to the minors. Robin Ventura continues to fumble every opportunity, and with Ed Charles mashing the ball, Ventura will start this season at AAA.

Edd Roush started excellently last season but faded mightily at the end of the year. An injury in Spring Training has limited Roush’s time and effectiveness. Essentially, the ABC’s were looking to retain only one of Roush and Danny Hoffman at the big league level: it’ll be Hoffman as Roush heads to AAA.

RP Octavio Dotel, C/1B Patsy Gharrity, 1B Dick Hoblitzell, and 2B Dario Lodigiani were all sent to AAA to bring the ABC’s to 30.

The next decisions were easy, with both Red Faber and Rob Dibble going on the 10 Day DL, with Faber likely to miss 4 months of time with a knee issue. Additionally Dolf Luque was moved to AAA, as was OF Joe Keough. With the ABC’s planning to keep George Foster with the team, that meant one more OF had to go and, after much deliberation, Danny Hoffman was deemed the odd man out.

TWIWBL 39.3: Series XXXI Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On May 10, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Bill Dahlen was injured in the opening game of a doubleheader against the Gothams. After the twinbill, Dahlen hit the DL with Bill Knickerbocker returning to the big leagues.

The Spiders found themselves in need of a starter, forcing them to send Bob Feller to AAA temporarily, with Hank Gastright being recalled for the start. Gastright was exceptional, allowing 4 hits and 1 run through 7 while striking out 6. Solo homeruns from 4 Spiders (John Ellis, Ron Blomberg, Jake Stahl, and–shockingly–Jim Gantner) were all he needed as the Spiders won 4-1 with Terry Adams picking up his 29th save.

#Homestead Grays

Mike Epstein hit 2 homeruns and drove in 4 as the Grays beat Ottawa 8-6.

With Honus Wagner out for the rest of the year, the Grays recalled 22 year old Frank Taveras from AA. Andy Van Slyke will become the everyday 3B in Wagner’s absence, with Jack Wilson getting the bulk of the action at SS.

Roberto Clemente had 4 hits, nudging his average close to .300, and Epstein added 3 as the Grays topped Ottawa, 9-5. John Candelaria overcame a rough start to improve his record to 2-1, making a case to remain in the Homestead rotation.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Jake Stenzel‘s 4 hits brought his batting average up to .300, but weren’t enough as Indianapolis dropped a 7-5 decision to Chicago in 12 innings.

Virgil Trucks was demoted to AAA with Tony Mullane next in line to get a shot in the ABC’s 6-man rotation.

Tommy Helms and Joe Morgan both picked up knocks, sending Helms to the DL with Barry Larkin being recalled to Indianapolis.

TWIWBL 7.3: Series VI Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On June 7, 2021

In TWIWBL

{With the day off on April 25th, it was a time of roster moves and lineup and pitching adjustments. As such, there are a few more notes for each team than usual.}

#Cleveland Spiders

A back injury has landed Napoleon Lajoie on the disable list, with the 22-year old expected to miss about two weeks. OF Kenny Lofton was recalled from AAA.

OF Johnny Bates tied the WBL record with 5 hits, going 5-for-6 with 3 runs scored as the Spiders blew out the Wandering House of David 11-2 behind a strong performance from SP Bill Steen.

Despite making his big league debut with 4.2 scoreless innings, Wilbur Cooper was sent back to AAA when Mel Harder was activated from the DL.

The above really dictated the roster moves for the Spiders, but the lineup has seen some real changes. Look for Lofton, Rowland Office, and Sammy Strang to see significantly more playing time as the next set of games unfold.

#Homestead Grays

Ps Frank Linzy and Daniel Hudson have been absolutely hammered, and both will move to AAA, with Carlos Zambrano staying in the big leagues, but being moved out of the starting rotation, to be replaced by Hal Carlson. Despite an 0-4 record and an ERA over 8, Corey Kluber stays in the rotation for now.

Jim Hegan went 0-for-11 in his big league debut, making the choice of what to do when Peaches Graham returned from the DL pretty easy: Hegan heads back to AAA Louisville.

Pedro Feliz‘ 130/141/195 nightmare is over, as the 3B was demoted with Chris Sabo being added to the big league roster. Sabo has pressure behind him, especially at AA, where both Andy Van Slyke and Freddie Lindstrom are performing very well at the hot corner.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Bronson Arroyo‘s refusal to accept a AAA assignment places him in a precarious position if his performances don’t improve, but for now he remains in the bullpen. Both Doc White and Tony Mullane are pitching well for Cincinnati, but remain at AAA for now.

The roster is challenging right now: when Joe Morgan returns (which is a subject of great mystery right now), Lonny Frey will head to AAA, but he’s needed right now. Pete Rose‘s slow start makes him expendable, and he’ll try to get back on track in the minors, freeing up a roster spot for RP Rob Murphy‘s return from the DL tomorrow.

#New York Black Yankees

Babe Ruth was on base 4 times and still saw his 23-game hitting streak end: 4 walks and a strikeout will do that. Still, streak sets the WBL standard on the young season.

New York has the luxury of carrying Willie Randolph, despite his 186/311/256 start, but look for Craig Counsell to see a bit more time at 2B.

#Philadelphia Stars

While the results of Jack Meyer‘s injury may change this, right now the Stars’ staff looks solid, although there is still some uncertainty as to who the final rotation member might be (John Montgomery Ward and Jaret Wright are the current candidates, with Jack Easton pitching well at AAA despite an 0-4 record there).

IF Al Smith (132/226/226) is headed to AAA, and Gene DeMontreville (135/135/162) should be joining him, but the lack of adequate middle infield depth keeps him with the Stars for the time being. Jose Ramirez will take Smith’s place on the big league roster.

Spring Training Preview: Indianapolis

By mknn

On June 19, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

Barring injury, the starting rotation is set, but there are some unknowns in the bullpen where Norm Charlton, Francisco Cordero, and Lefty James are in contention to make the roster.
- The pitching has been strong, but Tony Mullane has struggled a bit allowing the possibility for one of several contenders to lay claim to the #5 slot. Johnny Cueto, Dolf Luque, and David Price are all yet to allow a run, so we’ll start with those 3.
  - Mullane has been sent to AAA, and Eppa Rixey is now questionable to make the rotation, with Bronson Arroyo, Paul Derringer, Dixie Leveret and Luque joining Cueto and Price in the running.
- Charlton, Octavio Dotel, and Cordero have all struggled in relief, while Clay Carroll has excelled.
  - Cordero and continues to be on the bubble, and the desire to reduce roster size has sent Charlton to AAA.
It’s clear that Johnny Bench and Jake Stenzel will both make the roster, but it’s not clear who will be the starter at C.
- Both have excelled, so still not clear. Ernie Lombardi has been recalled for depth.
  - Lombardi is also hitting very well: at this point, they’d like to keep all 3 on the opening day roster.
Joe Morgan and Miller Huggins are in competition at 2B, as are Piggy Ward and Ed Charles at 3B.
- Huggins and Morgan are still neck and neck. Given Menke’s ability to fill in at 2B, Lonny Frey is heading back to AAA.
SS is a mess: Dennis Menke and Jhonny Peralta have the edge to start, but a great Spring by either Barry Larkin or Dave Concepcion could leapfrog them.
- Menke and Concepcion lead this race, but nothing is settled yet.
Oscar Charleston looks like the real deal, but the OF is crowded. Performances this Spring should shed some light on how the team differentiates between Charlie Hemphill, Edd Roush, Pete Rose, Bob Bescher, George Foster, and Willie Montanez.
- Charleston has yet to show much of anything, and only Edd Roush is performing worse of the OFers. But only Rose has made enough noise to join Dave Henderson as a likely starter.
  - Charleston has improved dramatically, but other than Roush continuing to struggle and Rose leading the way, little is clear here.
- Montanez has been moved to AAA to clear some OF room (especially with Hemphill about to return from a few days off), and Chase Headley has been recalled to add some depth at 3B.
  - Headley has been very impressive, and is arguing for a roster spot.

	Near Definite	Likely	Possible	Long Shot
Starting Pitchers	Virgil Trucks Red Faber Willie Mitchell		Eppa Rixey Johnny Cueto Dolf Luque Paul Derringer David Price Dixie Leveret Bronson Arroyo
Middle Relievers			Octavio Dotel Lefty James Francisco Cordero
Setup		Rob Murphy Clay Carroll
Closer	Rob Dibble
C		Johnny Bench Jake Stenzel	Ernie Lombardi
1B		Joey Votto Hal Morris
2B		Joe Morgan Miller Huggins
3B		Piggy Ward Ed Charles	Chase Headley
SS		Dennis Menke Dave Concepcion		Barry Larkin Jhonny Peralta
OF	Pete Rose	Dave Henderson Bob Bescher Oscar Charleston	Edd Roush George Foster Charlie Hemphill Danny Hoffman

Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Tony Mullane

TWIWBL 56.18: Spring Training Notes – Indianapolis ABC’s

Spring Training Questions

Injuries

First Cuts

Second Cuts

Third Cuts

Final Cuts

TWIWBL 39.3: Series XXXI Notes – Effa Manley Division

#Cleveland Spiders

#Homestead Grays

#Indianapolis ABC’s

TWIWBL 7.3: Series VI Notes – Effa Manley Division

#Cleveland Spiders

#Homestead Grays

#Indianapolis ABC’s

#New York Black Yankees

#Philadelphia Stars

Spring Training Preview: Indianapolis