Tag: Wayne Gomes

TWIWBL 56.20: Spring Training Notes – Philadelphia Stars

On March 8, 2024

Spring Training Questions

The only truly firm jobs are 3B (Scott Rolen) and CF (Willie Davis). While a handful of others are all but assured a roster spot, who starts where is very much up in the air.

In addition to Rogan, while many feel 2nd round pick Dave Stieb needs a year at AAA, a great spring could catapult him onto the roster.

First Cuts

Robin Roberts has been the worst pitcher in camp, but the Stars’ brass still see a future for the 33 year old, and will give him a few more innings to turn it around. No such reprieve for LaTroy Hawkins, Jack Easton, Ed Hawk, Luke Weaver, Chris Archer, or Fritz Coumbe as all six of them were returned to the minor leagues.

Cs John Clapp and Butch Wynegar were also sent down, which is probably good news for Bullet Joe Rogan, who becomes the de facto 4th backstop in camp. At 1B, Prince Fielder and Dan Pasqua were sent to the minors, with Don Hurst and Cecil Cooper moving up the depth chart while Terry Pendleton was moved out at 3B.

In the middle infield, César Hernández‘ inability to hit outweighed his glove, but otherwise it’s still pretty crowded. Chase Utley and Mickey Morandini have hit very well, while both late season darling Juan Samuel and José Ramírez have struggled. SS is even worse as all three contenders: Jimmy Rollins, Roger Peckinpaugh, and dark horse Mike Bordick have struggled at the plate.

Other than Buck Freeman, the OFers who were supposed to hit–Aaron Judge, George Hendrick, Willie Davis, Bobby Abreu, and Sherry Magee–have hit, with everyone else struggling to make an impact. This has made some choices easy, as Ed Kirkpatrick, Garry Maddox, Odúbel Herrera, John Titus, and highly-touted Richie Ashburn all were sent to the minors.

Second Cuts

Robin Roberts, Brad Kilby, and Fred Cambria were sent to the minors. Roberts was a surprise, but he seems incapable of harnessing his talent.

Don Hurst, Pinky May, and Juan Samuel were sent down as well, with the Stars finally admitting that Samuel’s performance last September was quite the mirage.

Andrew Payne was recalled to give some additional depth at CF.

Third Cuts

P Jack Kralick heads to AAA, along with Cecil Cooper, Fred Luderus, and Al Smith.

With Roger Peckinpaugh the presumptive starter at SS, the Stars can only carry 1 of Mike Bordick and Jimmy Rollins. José Ramírez has lost all offensive ability evidently, but his performance last year keeps him in camp for another week.

Final Cuts

Andrew Payne was sent down after a brief sting in major league camp.

The Stars are really struggling with what to do on their roster–too many players are performing too similarly this Spring. They took a copout move, sending reliever Scott Garrelts down–who deserved it based on his performance–which leaves them with only 14 arms in camp.

The scouts still love Bill Dickey, but he just hasn’t shown anything in camp. With Rogan able to fill in behind the platooning Sherm Lollar and Mike Scioscia, Dickey heads to AAA in search of at bats and consistency.

With Kent Peterson‘s injury, Brad Kilby was recalled to big league camp. Mike Bordick was sent down, as the Stars continue to waffle on what to do with José Ramírez and Mickey Morandini. Ramírez hit with some power last year, but can barely make contact this Spring, while Morandini has been decent. It is likely that Ramírez’ ability to play 3B sees him win the roster spot.

Kent Peterson was placed on the DL and Roger Peckinpaugh, who was stellar in a late season cameo but horrific this Spring, was sent to AAA to see if he could work things out.

Wayne Gomes and Brad Kilby were moved to the minors, which were pretty easy choices.

From there it got rough. Buck Freeman was a regular for the Stars last season, but a lackluster Spring combined with quite a crowd at 1B and RF, Freeman finds himself heading to AAA. Facing a similar choice, José Ramírez was retained over Mickey Morandini, largely because he can backup multiple positions. This also means that Chase Utley will once again start the season as the Stars’ 2B. Finally, neither Bobby Abreu nor Aaron Judge did anything this Spring, but Judge’s fantastic debut last season kept him on the roster while Abreu will head to AAA.

TWIWBL 42.1: Series XXXIV Notes – Roster Expansion

By mknn

On July 10, 2023

In TWIWBL

Here are the call ups as rosters expanded from 24 to 32 for all teams.

#Baltimore Black Sox

Bob Miller was activated from the DL, and P’s Lindy McDaniel, Rafael Betancourt, and Milt Pappas; OF Chick Stahl; and IF Miller Huggins and Cal Ripken were all recalled.

#Birmingham Black Barons

OF Billy Southworth was recalled from a rehab assignment. With Birmingham’s AAA team in the playoffs, the Black Barons reached down to AA for P Eric Gunderson.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

OFs John Briggs and Art Griggs were activated from the DL. With Queens still in the AAA playoff chase, other recalls will wait a few days.

#Chicago American Giants

Ps Nate Jones, Fernando Rodney, and Frank Smith; OF Magglio Ordóñez and Rocky Colavito; IF Luke Appling and Damian Jackson.

#Cleveland Spiders

IF Bill Dahlen was activated from the DL; Ps Tyler Walker, Stan Bahnsen, and Bob Feller; IF Hal Trosky and Evan Longoria; OF Larry Doby.

#Detroit Wolverines

Ps Jason Schmidt, Roberto Hernández, and Whitey Wilshere; IF Robby Thompson and Cecil Fielder; OF Ron LeFlore and Jody Gerut.

#Homestead Grays

P Earl Hamilton was activated from the DL; Ps Babe Adams, Frank Linzy, and Mychal Givens; IF Kevin Young and Chris Sabo; OF Max Carey.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Ps Tom Sturdivant, Mike Hartley, and Scott Erickson; C Jason Castro, IF Paul Goldschmidt; OF Shin-Soo Choo and Hunter Pence.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

With AAA Cincinnati still in the playoff hunt, the ABC’s reached down to AA to recall P Chris Hammond and OF Adam Dunn.

#Kansas City Monarchs

P Frank Castillo was recalled from a rehab assignment; with St. Louis still in the hunt at AAA, P Evan Meek and IF Gene Freese were recalled from AA.

#Los Angeles Angels

P Brett Anderson was activated from the DL. Ps Jeurys Familia and Chuck Finley; IF Tim Wallach; OF Hi Myers.

#Memphis Red Sox

P Lance Broadway from AA with more to come after AAA New Orleans finishes their season.

#Miami Cuban Giants

IF Martín Dihigo was activated from a rehab assignment; Ps Steve Brown and Dontrelle Willis; C Smoky Burgess; IF Bert Campaneris; OF Yasiel Puig and Sandy Amorós.

#New York Black Yankees

Ps Bryan Hickerson, AJ Burnett, and Dave Righetti; IF Art Howe and Josh Harrison; OF Roger Maris.

#New York Gothams

P Carson Smith was recalled from a rehab assignment and P Brian Wilson was activated from the DL. With both Hartford (AAA) and Troy (AA) either in the hunt or in the postseason, the Gothams will wait to make further moves.

#Ottawa Mounties

P Ted Bowsfield, IF Álex Rodríguez, and OF Larry Walker were all activated from the DL. P Sean O’Sullivan from AA, with additional moves coming after Montréal’s season concludes.

#Philadelphia Stars

Ps Fritz Coumbe, Danny Barnes, Wayne Gomes, and J.M. Ward; IF Juan Samuel and Jimmy Rollins; OF Marlon Byrd.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Superhero Greg Litton and P Pascual Pérez were recalled from rehab assignments; Ps Frank Williams and Jerry Koosman; OF José González and Ruben Sierra; IF Rafael Palmiero.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

The Sea Lions are waiting until the AAA San Jose Bees complete their season to make their moves.

#Wandering House of David

IF Bunny Downs and OF Joe Harris were activated from the DL. Ps Rick Reuschel and Ferguson Jenkins, IF Jung Ho Kang and Cap Anson; OF Tony Conigliaro.

TWIWBL 36.3: Series XXVIII Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On March 22, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Mel Harder moves into the rotation, replacing the injured Whit Wyatt, a move which is sure to disappoint the fan base that was hoping for a major pitching acquisition at the deadline. They’ll have to be satisfied with the recall of Bob Feller, who is far, far too good for AAA, with Ken Schrom being returned.

The fan base may be appeased by the arrival of SS Arky Vaughan from Homestead, who may give the Spiders the best top-to-bottom lineup in the league. Vaughan’s arrival sent Bill Knickerbocker to AAA and moved Bill Dahlen to the role of defensive replacement.

Sudden Sam McDowell was returned to AAA as Yordano Ventura was recalled from a rehab assignment after missing a couple months through injury.

#Homestead Grays

John Candelaria and Ray Brown were recalled from AAA, with Candelaria sliding into the rotation. More dramatically, Arky Vaughan‘s departure means the team is committing to the idea that Honus Wagner can make the transition to SS, which also opens the door for Andy Van Slyke and Chief Wilson to see more time, given how well they have hit over recent weeks (Van Slyke is currently slashing 404/436/649, Wilson 392/395/747–clearly neither is sustainable).

Tom Brown was sent to AAA, as the Grays needed another SS (Jack Wilson).

Rick Reichardt had 2 homeruns and 5 RBIs in a topsy-turvey, 8-6 win over Indianapolis. Mike Epstein and Wagner also went deep in the contest.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Doc Hoblitzell was returned to AAA with Virgil Trucks, Francisco Cordero, and Octavio Dotel heading up to AAA. The ABC’s have quite a few pitchers who have struggled in Indianapolis and dominated in Cincinnati, so we’ll see how that goes.

Oscar Charleston had 3 hits, 2 of which were triples, but the ABC’s were unable to hold on to several leads, losing 8-6 to Homestead.

#New York Black Yankees

Well, we’ll see. They certainly added some bullpen arms, whether it’s enough quality is yet to be determined. Lady Baldwin and Dave Righetti were returned to AAA, clearing the room for Aroldis Chapman (who slides directly into the closer slot), Dick Tidrow, and Rheal Cormier. Jamie Moyer slides into the back of the rotation.

Waite Hoyt broke out of a slump in a big way, with a complete game victory over the Gothams, allowing 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 3 and not walking a batter. Mickey Mantle and Eric Davis went deep for the Black Yankees as Hoyt improved to 9-6.

#Philadelphia Stars

As important as any trade, the Stars will get Pete Alexander back from injury at some point in the next week after a quick rehab assignment. In the meantime, Hardie Henderson was brought up to deepen the bullpen and Tim Belcher may get another start or two until Alexander returns.

Slugging OF Aaron Judge was recalled from AAA. Wayne Gomes was sent to AAA, with Alexander making his long awaited return.

TWIWBL 32.3: Series XXV Notes – Effa Manley Division

By mknn

On February 6, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Cleveland Spiders

Whit Wyatt lasted one batter in his start against the House of David before leaving the game with an apparent hand injury. Bill Steen relieved him and delivered a solid 6 innings, improving his record to 8-2 as the Spiders won, 8-4. Ron Blomberg had 3 hits and Peanuts Lowery drove in 3, including his first homerun of the year.

The series saw another twist in the CF saga for the Spiders. Tris Speaker was injured early in Spring Training, leaving a bit of a void, eventually filled by the speedy, and productive, Kenny Lofton. Speaker is back now, and while Lofton has the starting job locked down, Speaker’s talent is undeniable. In this game, he hit his first career homerun.

#Indianapolis ABC’s

Sometimes six starters isn’t enough … with no rested starters available among the half-dozen, the ABC’s waived Paul Derringer and recalled Red Faber for a single start. Faber did not pitch well enough to stick around, with Virgil Trucks–dominant at AAA after struggling with Indianapolis earlier in the year–rejoining the big league club after the game.

#Philadelphia Stars

Pete Alexander hit the DL (again) with a hand injury, bringing Wayne Gomes up to the WBL for the first time.