Tag: Yasiel Puig Page 2 of 3

#Birmingham Black Barons

The Black Barons recalled P John Malarkey, 1B Nate Colbert, and OFs Andy Pafko and Curt Flood to help in their final playoff push.

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Lefty Fernando Valenzuela, IF Dickie Thon, and OF Raúl Mondesi were all recalled as Brooklyn chases the final wildcard spot.

3 hits from John Briggs, including his 6th homer of the year weren’t enough as the Royal Giants fell to Memphis, 9-3. The loss officially eliminated Brooklyn from post-season contention, ending a nice late-season surge.

#Miami Cuban Giants

The Cuban Giants went back-to-back twice in a win over Ottawa. First, Yasiel Puig and José Canseco did it in the 8th inning, giving Miami a come from behind lead, then Canseco and Jim Thome did it in the 9th to put the game on ice. Dontrelle Willis, Sandy Consuegra, and Ramón Martínez didn’t allow a run in relief in the 10-4 victory.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Joseíto Muñoz was activated from the DL, with both Atlee Hammaker and Ray Fontenot being sent to AAA. Muñoz takes Mike Cuellar‘s spot in the rotation, and Jerry Blevins was recalled from AAA.

Muñoz was shut down immediately, and will miss time well into next season with elbow surgery. Hammaker was recalled to the active roster.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

With the San Jose Bees season winding down, the Sea Lions made a flurry of moves for the final week or so of the season, promoting Ps Red Ehret, Tommy Bridges and Dennis Eckersley, and IFs Don Money, Keith Ginter and Denny Hocking and activating C Mickey Cochrane from the DL.

Lefty Grove, James Shields, Ron Robinson, and Rod Beck combined on a 2-0 shutout victory for San Francisco. The victory went to Shields, with Robinson picking up his 18th hold and Beck his 31st save.

TWIWBL 44.4: Series XXXVI Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On August 11, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Birmingham Black Barons

4 hits from Curtis Granderson and Eddie Mathews‘ 24th homer of the year weren’t enough as the Black Barons fell to Houston, 4-3.

In the series finale, Bob Nieman, Hank Aaron, and Jim Pagliaroni had 3 hits and Nieman, Pagliaroni, and Adrián González all went deep as the Black Barons beat Houston, 10-6.

OF Ray Powell retired from AA.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Trying to pick which arm to demote to make room for Freddie Fitzsimmons‘ return from the DL is a bit rough for Miami: virtually everyone is struggling. But the final choice was Braden Looper–declared closer only a few weeks ago, but sporting a 7.31 ERA since then.

The challenge for the Cuban Giants as the season winds down is to spread around enough innings and plate appearances to get some more information on the quality of talent on their roster. It may be bleak.

Fitzsimmons, however: not bleak. The recent acquisition made his first start for Miami and turned in a complete game, 3 hit shutout of the House of David. The Cuban Giants pounded out 5 homeruns, with Smoky Burgess launching the first 2 of his career and Ryan Braun, Robin Yount, and also launching longballs.

Yasiel Puig is hitting over .500 with Miami. 3 more hits, including his first 2 homeruns for the Cuban Giants weren’t enough in an 8-6 loss to the House of David.

#Portland Sea Dogs

Pascual Pérez has returned to the rotation, meaning both Wade Miller and Jerry Koosman look to finish the year out of the bullpen for the Sea Dogs.

#San Francisco Sea Lions

As the AA season closed, 3B Ken Caminiti and OF Coco Crisp announced their retirement.

TWIWBL 42.5: Series XXXIV Notes – Marvin Miller Division

By mknn

On July 17, 2023

In TWIWBL

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

Jackie Robinson had 3 hits including his 13th homerun, driving in 3 and leading the Royal Giants to a 7-2 victory over the Monarchs. Don Drysedale was solid through 5 innings, evening his record at 8-8 and stopping a recent streak of poor starts.

Dave Von Ohlen was injured during the game, but it’s not clear how long he’ll be out.

#Miami Cuban Giants

Ramón Martínez tied a WBL record with 8 walks but a great debut performance by Yasiel Puig and José Canseco‘s 32nd homerun of the year were enough for Miami to top Indianapolis, 8-7. Puig’s Miami debut saw him go 4-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Dontrelle Willis and Eustaquio Pedroso pitched well in relief of Martínez, and the win went to Bob Duliba as Braden Looper picked up his 5th save despite a rocky 9th.

#Portland Sea Dogs

3 hits from Gavvy Cravath and a grand slam from Buddy Bell (his 18th homerun of the season) were more than enough as the Sea Dogs beat Homestead, 10-0. The real story here was Walter Johnson, who allowed only 2 hits through 6 innings and finished with a 9 strikeout, 5 hit shutout, improving to 13-4 on the season.

Bert Blyleven evened his record at 10-10 on the year with a strong 7.2 IP in a 4-3 win over Homestead. Cravath hit his 9th homerun with Portland (his 22nd overall), and Bobby Murcer, Rogers Hornsby, and Jeff Burroughs each had 2 hits.

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 35.1: The Final Trading Window!

By mknn

On March 14, 2023

In TWIWBL

Welcome to the wild final day of trading for the season! We’re going to present these from the point of view of the contenders, with teams examined in order of their winning percentage so far this season.

Look for roster moves and implications in the next installments of TWIWBL. With 3/4 of the league making at least one deal, the impacts should be felt for a while …

Baltimore Black Sox

Baltimore got their hands on one of the best arms available, bringing in Connie Johnson from Kansas City. The Monarchs added a 5th round pick, receiving 2 prospects (OF Merv Rettenmund and RP Gene Garber) and a 2nd round pick for the 33 year-old hurler.

Grade: A. Johnson looks to be the real deal and should help the Black Sox withstand the recent rash of injuries.

Portland Sea Dogs

The Sea Dogs keep tweaking, sending 3 prospects–CF Kirby Puckett, RP Jim Kern, and SP Rick Wise–to Houston, with Trevor Hoffman and Mark Melancon coming back. Hoffman may compete with Elmer Brown for the closer role for Portland. The teams also traded some draft picks, with Houston sending a 4th to Portland in exchange for a 3rd and a 5th.

They also picked up perhaps the best OF available, as highly touted prospect Harmon Killebrew and a 1st round pick netted Gavvy Cravath and a 2nd round pick from Philadelphia, with the Stars also picking up most of Cravath’s salary for the rest of the season.

Grade: B. If they make the playoffs, sure, it makes sense. But Cravath is old, and Killebrew and Puckett are a lot of talent to give up (although both are pretty blocked by existing WBL talent).

New York Gothams

The Gothams were clearly trying to bolster their pitching, and pulled off a minor deal, sending prospects Travis Bowyer and Mike Shannon along with a 4th round pick to Homestead for Vean Gregg and a 5th rounder. They also added Steve Howe to their bullpen, sending the disgruntled Jeremy Affeldt and prospect Bob Moose to Ottawa.

And then they pulled off a bit of a blockbuster, as discussions with Miami surrounding Rube Waddell quickly spiraled out of control, with heavy drink most likely being involved. The Gothams sent Freddie Fitzsimmons, Cookie Rojas, Yasiel Puig, and a 2nd round pick to the Cuban Giants, receiving Waddell, Pete Runnels, and Will Clark in return.

Finally, as they now needed more depth they hit redial on their rotary phone and got in touch with Ottawa again, sending prospects George Burns and Art Devlin along with a 3rd round pick to the Mounties for George Van Haltren and two mid round picks (a 5th and a 6th).

Grade: C. It just seems like a lot of wheel-spinning. Is having Waddell and Gregg in the rotation really all that different than Moose and Fitzsimmons? Clark has been mediocre at best with Miami, and Rojas is a real loss.

Chicago American Giants

Chicago bolstered their pitching, picking up David Price from Indianapolis. Jorge Orta also goes to Chicago, with the American Giants sending prize prospect Robin Ventura, RP Tyler Clippard, and 2 draft picks (a 4th and a 5th) to the ABC’s.

Grade: A. Price may help compensate for the deeply flawed acquisition of Don Newcombe earlier in the summer.

Cleveland Spiders

The Spiders paid pretty dearly to upgrade the one slot in their lineup crying out for it, sending prized prospect Nap Lajoie, RP Arodys Vizcaíno, and a 1st round pick to Homestead for SS Arky Vaughan, SP Stan Bahnsen, and a 3rd rounder.

Grade: B. It all makes sense: Vaughan fills a need, Bahnsen has been solid at the WBL level and while Lajoie clearly is talented, for a team that has a shot at a championship this year, it works.

Detroit Wolverines

Especially with the loss of Whit Wyatt to injury, if Detroit is to make a move this year, they need pitching. So they sent quite a package of potential–2B Charlie Gehringer, 3B Bill Sweeney, SP Red Ehret, and a 4th Round Pick–to San Francisco for Charlie Root and Chad Bradford. It’s a lot, and the loss of Gehringer may hurt, but Detroit is really in win-now mode.

Grade: B. Root is excellent, and while they paid a little dearly, this year really looks to be the Wolverines’ best chance.

Birmingham Black Barons

Birmingham is unsure if its streak can continue, but an upgrade at C can’t hurt, so the Black Barons sent 2 IF prospects (SS Woody English and 3B Candy Jim Taylor) to Memphis for Jim Pagliaroni and a 4th round pick.

Then, late in the day, the pulled the trigger on a bit of a blockbuster, adding Andy Pettitte from Kansas City to their rotation. It cost quite a bit: C Dale Murphy (still a prospect despite his miserable WBL debut earlier in the season), P A. Rube Foster, a 2nd round pick and a 4th round pick. It was quite a declaration of intent by the Black Barons, we’ll see if it pans out.

Grade: A. Suddenly, Birmingham has a shot at the playoffs. Pettitte immediately becomes their #2 starter, and while they gave up some good talent, neither Murphy nor Foster look like world-burners at this point.

Wandering House of David

The House of David can still get lucky this year, so it moved to shore up a weak spot, sending prospects Bert Campaneris and Jeff Heathcock and a 3rd round pick to Miami for Ed Bauta and 2 later round picks (a 6th and a 7th).

Grade: C. Meh.

New York Black Yankees

The Black Yankees are desperate for bullpen help. They started to address the need picking up Aroldis Chapman from Miami, sending back Cole Hamels and Smoky Burgess, with Miami adding a 3rd round pick. With Bauta and Hoffman off the market, New York was forced to look at names further down their list.

They brought in Dick Tidrow from the House of David (who also threw in a 7th round pick), giving up a 2nd rounder and 2 prospects: SP Jim Clinton and 3B Chris Brown and then sent a similar package (LaTroy Hawkins, Fritz Coumbe, Mike Bordick, and a 3rd round pick) to Philadelphia for Rheal Cormier and a 4th rounder.

Grade: C. Overpaid on all fronts. Understandable, given the totally shambolic nature of the Black Yankees’ bullpen, but the loss of Hamels may hurt for many years, and Tidrow is little more than a fill-in.

Series XXIV Best Games

By mknn

On January 11, 2023

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

The theme this time out is surprising bullpen collapses, as a range of usually dependable closers struggled to hold on to victories.

New York Black Yankees @ Homestead Grays, Game 2.

As the game began, the Black Yankees were encouraged by Ron Guidry‘s return to form, allowing only 3 hits–although 2 runs–in 5 innings of work. But Homestead‘s Stan Bahnsen was almost as good, settling down after giving up Mickey Mantle‘s 16th homerun of the year in the first inning. Bahnsen was chased from the game in the 6th, as consecutive singles from Mantle, Lou Gehrig, and Eric Davis put the Black Yankees up by 1. An inning later, a sacrifice fly by Don Mattingly made it 4-2, with the Black Yankees looking safe to take their expected victory … but then New York’s weakness showed up big time, as Sparky Lyle imploded in the 8th, giving up 2 run single to Pops Stargell (his 3rd hit of the day) to tie the game. Ralph Citarella pitched OK, but was saddled with the loss when midseason acquisition Gary Lavelle–sporting a gaudy 9.39 ERA since joining New York–gave up the game-winning single to Mike Epstein for a 5-4 win for the Grays.

NYY 4 (Citarella 2-5; Moyer 2 H; Lyle 4 B Sv) @ HOM 5 (Lindblom 2-4) [10 Innings]
HRs: NYY – Mantle (16).
Box Score

Los Angeles Angels @ Wandering House of David, Game 3

Tom Seaver had been rocked in his first few appearances, but here the 22 year old showed some of his promise, allowing 2 runs in the first and nothing thereafter over 5-plus innings. Doug Rader drove in 2 with a homerun in the 3rd and another with a single in the 5th as the Angels held a 4-2 lead. Solid relief work from Jonny Venters and Pud Galvin took the game to Los Angeles’ closer, Joe Nathan, who got 2 quick outs before a single from Richie Hebner setup a 2 run, game-tying homerun from Jim Edmonds. Hebner would win the game for the House of David in the bottom of the 11th with a solo shot, his 9th of the season. Mike Trout had 3 hits in the Angels’ losing effort.

LAA 4 (Rodríguez 3-1; Nathan 7 B Sv; Galvin 2 H; Venters 13 H) @ HOD 5 (Rommel 2-0) [11 Innings]
HRs: LAA – Rader (14); HOD – Edmonds (3), Hebner (9).
Box Score

New York Gothams @ Houston Colt 45’s, Game 4

This one was a great pitching duel with the Gotham‘s Christy Mathewson and Houston‘s Stephen Strasburg matching arms through 6 innings. Before leaving with an injury, Strasburg’s only blemish was a solo homerun by Willie Mays in the 1st inning while Matty sailed along until the bottom of the 5th when Houston picked up 2 runs, one on a Craig Biggio double, the other an RBI groundout from HR Johnson. The Colt 45’s 2-1 lead held until the top of the 9th, when their closer, Billy Wagner, came in the game. Wagner gave up a 2-out double to Eugenio Suárez, scoring Yasiel Puig and tying the game. New York’s Mike Norris–fantastic all season–was asked to stretch beyond his usual single inning, allowing a leadoff triple to Johnson in the bottom of the 10th. After 2 intentional walks to load the bases, Norris gave up a single to George Brett (his 3rd hit of the day), winning the game for Houston. Jimmy Sheckard had 4 hits for New York in the contest.

NYG 2 (Norris 3-2) @ HOU 3 (Ely 1-0; Wagner 5 B Sv; Hoffman 5 H) [10 Innings]
HRs: NYG – Mays (16).
Box Score

Chicago American Giants @ Detroit Wolverines, Game 3

Eddie Collins and Shoeless Joe Jackson each had 3 hits for Chicago, with Jackson hitting his 21st long ball of the year, but it wasn’t enough as Detroit used Oscar Gamble‘s 21st dinger to stay in the game, winning it in the bottom of the 9th on a wild pitch from the usually reliable Hoyt Wilhelm.

CAG 4 (Wilhelm 2-2) @ DET 5 (Hart 3-3; Hiller 1 B Sv)
HRs: CAG – Jackson (21); DET – Gamble (21).
Box Score

Series XX Featured Matchup: Chicago American Giants @ New York Gothams

By mknn

On June 15, 2022

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

Series preview here.

#Game One: Don Newcombe @ Christy Mathewson

Chicago‘s recent acquisition, Don Newcombe, makes his first start for the American Giants. He’ll be facing Christy Mathewson, moving up a day to take the first game of the series for the New York Gothams.

A long homerun in the top of the 2nd by Dick Allen put Chicago up, 1-0.

And that was it for a while. Mathewson struggled with his control, walking 4 through 4 innings, but only giving up the homerun to Allen. Cristóbal Torriente led off the 5th with a single, but was stranded there as, reaching back for a little extra, Mathewson whiffed Duffy Lewis with his final pitch.

Newcombe, on the other hand, was giving up a hit per inning, but nothing else. Willie Mays led off the bottom of the 7th with a double and moved to 3rd on an infield hit by Johnny Callison. Mays would score to tie the game on a sacrifice fly from Willie McCovey.

The Gothams would take their first lead in the bottom of the 8th when Buster Posey singled home Jimmy Sheckard. Mike Norris gave up a 2-out single to Eddie Collins, but struck out Joe Jackson to end the game, earning his 2nd save in the process as the Gothams took the first of the four game series.

CAG 1 (Otsuka 3-5) @ NYG 2 (Smith 1-0; Norris 2 Sv)
HRs: CAG – Allen (14)
Box Score

#Game 2: Ben Sheets @ Sad Sam Jones

Duffy Lewis opened the scoring in the top of the first with an RBI single , but despite 2 hits and 2 walks, that was all Chicago could manage off of Sad Sam Jones in the frame.

Yasiel Puig doubled off Ben Sheets in the bottom of the 2nd, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on an RBI single by Wes Westrum to tie the game. Sheets would walk Pinky Higgins and give up a single to Brandon Crawford to load the bases, but a double play ball from Cookie Rojas left the game tied at 1.

Chicago would take the lead back in the top of the 4th on an RBI single by Freddy Parent. In the next inning, Dick Allen would triple in 2 more runs, extending the lead to 4-1. Allen would score on a single by Mike Fiore, chasing Jones and bringing in Don Sutton for the Gothams.

Johnny Callison made it 5-3 in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run homerun off Herb Pennock.

Chicago would add a run in the top of the 9th, and their closer, AJ Minter, would work around an error to close it out in the bottom of the frame.

CAG 6 (Sheets 7-4; Minter 12 Sv; Condrey 1 H) @ NYG 3 (Jones 6-6)
HRs: NYG – Callison (10)
Box Score

#Game 3: Tricky Nichols @ Pete Donohue

Pete Donohue got himself into a bases loaded jam in the top of the 2nd, and got Dave Nilsson to hit a groundball. But New York only got one out, and a run crossed the plate for an early 1-0 lead for Chicago. They would double it in the 4th, taking advantage of a Carl Furillo error and a Magglio Ordóñez double to make it 2-0.

Meanwhile, Tricky Nichols was sailing along with a 3-hit shutout through five innings.

Donohue, who had only allowed 2 hits to that point, took a line drive off the leg in the top of the 5th and had to leave the game, replaced by Mike Norris.

The wheels came off for Nichols in the bottom of the 6th, when the home crowd’s fan favorite, Wes Westrum, took him deep with 2 men on, giving the Gothams a 3-2 lead.

Nichols was chased from the game by hits from John Kerins and Cookie Rojas in the bottom of the 7th, bringing Hoyt Wilhelm in from the bullpen to face the pinch-hitting Willie Mays. Mays singled, bringing in a run and extending the lead to 4-2, but Wilhelm got out of the inning without further damage.

The American Giants made a stand in the top of the 8th, first with an RBI single from Frank Thomas, and back-to-back doubles from Dick Allen and Mike Fiore and a pinch-hit single from Duffy Lewis that gave Chicago the lead again, 7-4.

Akinori Otsuka and AJ Minter would close out the game for Chicago with 2 perfect innings of relief.

CAG 7 (Wilhelm 1-0; Minter 13 Sv; Otsuka 2 H) @ NYG 4 (Nen 2-4, 1 BSv)
HRs: NYG – Westrum (5)
Box Score

#Game 4: Mark Buehrle @ Juan Marichal

Up 2 games to 1, Chicago opened game 4 of the series with a double from Eddie Collins, who scored on a single from Joe Jackson. Jackson would score on a single by Dick Allen, and Duffy Lewis would come home on a soft single from Cristóbal Torriente. Allen would score on a wild pitch as Chicago tagged Juan Marichal for 4 runs in the top of the first.

The Gothams would get one back in the bottom of the 2nd, when a Mark Buehrle wild pitch allowed Yasiel Puig to score.

Marichal would give up 2 more runs, giving Chicago the 6-1 lead heading to the bottom of the 5th. New York closed to 6-2 in the bottom of the frame, but Buehrle escaped a bases-loaded jam to maintain a 4-run cushion.

A 2-run homerun from Jackson extended Chicago’s lead to 8-3 in the top of the 7th.

The Gothams’ most pleasant surprise of the year has been Wes Westrum, who continues to just mash the ball. Westrum doubled in 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, closing the score to 8-5.

Chicago would add one more run on a double play in the top of the 9th for the final tally.

CAG 9 (Buehrle 6-7; Dixon 1 Sv; Pennock 1H) @ NYG 5 (Marichal 7-4)
HRs: CAG – Jackson (17)
Box Score

#Series Notes

These are two excellent teams, each leaving this series in 2nd place in their divisions. But the edge shown by Chicago does reflect a true difference in the two, and the 3-1 series result is well deserved.

Dick Allen, Joe Jackson, and Eddie Collins each had 5 hits for the American Giants and Cristóbal Torriente went 7-for-16 to lead their offense. For the Gothams, Buster Posey went 6-for-15, Cookie Rojas added 5 hits, and Wes Westrum had 4 in 3 games.

TWIWBL 24.14: Mid-Season Reviews – New York Gothams

By mknn

On March 31, 2022

In Team News, TWIWBL

Summary

For a team that still feels like it’s putting it all together, the Gothams are doing very well–first place in the Bill James Division and 8 games over .500.

What’s Gone Right

Dynamic Duo. Willie Mays and Buster Posey look to be the heart of this franchise for years to come, with OPS’ nearing 1.000 and solid defense to boot.

Help From Below. The performances of Yasiel Puig and, especially, Wes Westrum, have been fantastic, and unexpected. Westrum actually has the highest OPS on the team (a SLG over .750 will do that) and Puig is solidly in the mid .800’s. John Kerins has been solid as well.

The Back End. Brian Wilson, Carson Smith, and Mike Norris have been great shutting down teams at the end of games.

What’s Gone Wrong

Mound Mediocrity. Christy Mathewson eats innings. Sad Sam Jones has been decent, and both Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal a little more than that. But a team hoping to go far in the postseason needs more than that.

Not So Long Ball. There’s not a lot of homerun power here, once you get past Mays and Posey (and, in limited at-bats, Westrum). Much of the blame falls on Willie McCovey, who may lose his starting spot.

Reserve Infielders. I mean, they’ve been fine but I’m looking for 3 things, so … the performances of Mark Loretta and Brandon Crawford leave a bit to be desired.

Key Storylines

The biggest question is if the Gothams can keep on keeping on? Right now, it looks like they will go as far as the duo of Mays and Posey will take them. That said, the Gothams do need a pitcher or two to step up on the staff–two of Mathewson, Marichal, and Perry need to emerge as a legitimate front of the rotation for them to go far.

Puig is unlikely to keep up his current level of performance, but there are some players who are likely to improve (Carl Furillo, Johnny Callison), so that may even out.

Trading Outlook

BUYING, if they can, but it’s not really clear where the pieces are they can offer.

AAA Shuttle

It’s been a key part of their success: Puig, Kerins, and Westrum have all excelled, and Crawford seems to have solidified the backup SS role.

Midseason Changes

Mickey Welch and Mat Latos move down to AAA with Pete Donohue taking Welch’s spot in the rotation. Bob Moose comes up.

Awards

All Stars: Willie Mays (CF); Buster Posey (C); Brian Wilson (P).

Offensive MVP: Willie Mays (OF)
Pitching MVP: Juan Marichal (SP)

Down on the Farm

AAA: Hartford Dark Blues

Next to the Show: P Edwin Jackson, OF Benny Kauff, C Dick Dietz, OF Jo-Jo Moore

Prospects: None.

Projects: P Willie Banks (26), OF Benny Kauff (27), OF Jo-Jo Moore (26), C Dick Dietz (28).

Suspects: P Liván Hernández (29), SS Chico Carrasquel (28), Dan Johnson (35)

AA: Troy Trojans

Prospects: P Lew Krausse, Jr. (21), OFs Don Mueller & Mike Shannon (both 22)

Projects: C Steve O’Neill (21)

Suspects: OF Johnny Rucker (24).

TWIWBL 19.11: AAA Roundup

By mknn

On February 24, 2022

In TWIWBL, WBL Minor Leagues

{ It’s the first of June, so it’s time to look at the WBL Minor Leagues. Throughout, we identify both the AAA team and their WBL franchise. }

#Featured Team: The New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans, AA affiliate of the Memphis Red Sox, lead their division by 4 games with a 34-20 record.

They are, simply, the best offensive team in AAA. And, as you may guess from that line, they struggle a bit on the mound. But the real challenge for the Pelicans is coping with the talent they’ve lost to Memphis.

Billy Bryan, Wayne Causey, and Fred Lynn had combined for 32 homeruns for the Pelicans, and they’ve all moved on to the Red Sox, along with infielder Iván De Jesus. The players coming back the other way–Nomar Garciaparra, Bob Brenly, and Dustin Pedroia–have done very little to help (although Brenly has shown surprising power). And Larry Hisle, signed after he was let go by Houston, has struggled as well.

But the Pelicans keep scoring runs, with a lineup anchored by OFs David Justice (295/370/625) and Tony Conigliaro (286/331/563) and IF Francisco Lindor (299/352/528). Add in Dwight Evans‘ 12 homeruns and 30 RBIs and the Pelicans still have a fair bit of firepower.

The pitching is … confusing. Norwood Gibson and Ellis Kinder are each 5-2, with ERAs over 6.00. Eddie Cicotte, sent down from Memphis a few weeks ago, has won all 4 of his starts. And their best starter has probably been Joe Kelly, who has a 3.23 ERA, but only a 3-3 record.

Luiz Gohara and Derek Lowe have been solid at the end of games, but it’s pretty clear that unless they get some better performances from Gibson and Kinder (and Jeff Locke, who also has a winning record with an ERA over 6.00), the Pelicans fortunes could change dramatically.

#Checking In On …

The Atlanta X-Giants were the subject of last month’s update. They still have the best record in the league, although like New Orleans, they have clearly lost their best players to promotions to Birmingham.

But in their case, Greg Maddux and Warren Spahn have pitched well since their demotion, joining Kent Mercker and Jim Whitney in a very strong rotation.

We mentioned Joe Rudi last time, and the 22 year-old has impressed in his first taste of AAA, slashing 281/323/537.

AAA Leaders

Of the players profiled last time, only Joey Votto (Cincinnati/Indianapolis) remains at AAA, with Hi Myers (Brooklyn), Gary Sheffield (Miami), Fred Lynn (Memphis), and Robinson Canó (Kansas City) all now holding down a roster spot in the show.

In addition to Votto, who continues to produce, hitting at a 324/459/580 clip, the dominant players at AAA are

Baby Doll Jacobson. Leading AAA with 19 homeruns, Jacobson is slashing 343/389/725 for Washington (Baltimore) and pulling off his best Babe Ruth imitation on the leaderboards. Even with the best record in the league and Paul Blair hitting better in Baltimore, it’s not clear how long the Black Sox can keep Jacobson at AAA.
Louisville (Homestead)’s OF pair of Paul Waner (306/401/591) and Max Carey (357/441/473) are probably the best hitting tandem in the league.
Virgil Trucks has done nothing but impress since his demotion, sitting with a 6-1 record and a 1.59 ERA since being sent to Cincinnati after struggling in Indianapolis in the early going.
San Jose (San Francisco)’s Nick Altrock leads the league in wins at 7-2 with a 2.22 ERA.
In the bullpen, St. Louis (Kansas City)’s Adam Russell (16 saves, 1.71 ERA) and Queens (Brooklyn)’s Darren Dreifort (15 saves, 1.40 ERA) lead the way.

Awards

AAA Player of the Month: Baby Doll Jacobson (Washington/Baltimore)
AAA Pitcher of the Month: Nick Altrock (San Jose/San Francisco)

AAA Players of the Week: Tommie Agee (Orlando/Miami); Robin Ventura (Milwaukee/Chicago); Jackie Jensen (Montreal/Ottawa); Sam Thompson (Newark/New York Black Yankees)

Hottest Prospects (24 years and younger)

SP: Mike Griffin (23, Toronto/Detroit) 6-2, 1 Sv, 4.84 ERA; Jock Menefee (24, St. Louis/Kansas City) 4-3, 3.27 ERA [*]; George Mullin (22, Toronto/Detroit) 4-3, 3.49 ERA.
RP: Luiz Gohara (20, New Orleans/Memphis) 1-1, 8 Sv, 3 H, 3.60 ERA; George Murray (23, Atlanta/Birmingham) 1-1, 1 Sv, 1 H, 2.28 ERA.

C: Cliff W. Lee (22, Seattle/Portland). 329/374/647.
1B: Anthony Rizzo (22, Columbus/House of David). 277/395/576. [*]
2B: Roberto Alomar (23, Montreal/Ottawa). 301/338/436, 5 3B.
3B: Chris Brown (22, Newark/New York Black Yankees). 288/402/477.
SS: Francisco Lindor (24, New Orleans/Memphis). 299/352/528.
OF: Baby Doll Jacobson (24, Washington/Baltimore) 343/389/725, 71 H, 18 2B, 19 HR, 53 RBI, 42 R, 2.7 WAR; Paul Waner (23, Louisville/Homestead) 306/401/591 [*]; Minnie Miñoso (23, Milwaukee/Chicago) 272/370/589, 16 HR.

Bold indicates league leader; * indicates a player selected for April’s list as well.

Ps Hardie Henderson (Cleveland) and Matt Anderson (Detroit); C Mike Scioscia (Brooklyn); IFs Robinson Canó (Kansas City), Gary Sheffield (Miami), and Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baltimore); and OF Yasiel Puig (New York Gothams) were all listed in April and now are in the big leagues.

Series XVII Featured Game: Birmingham Black Barons @ Houston Colt 45’s

By mknn

On December 8, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

We’re going to focus on the usual see-saw affair, this one between the Birmingham Black Barons and Houston’s Colt 45‘s, pitting Birmingham’s Tim Hudson against Houston’s Stephen Strasburg.

It’s an interesting matchup: Hudson was seen as pretty washed-up, but the 36-year old has posted a 5-0 record with an ERA in the mid 2.00’s, and could begin appearing on league leaderboards within a few starts. Strasburg, on the other hand, has shown great promise at only 23, but has yet to harness his potential, posting a 2-4 record with an ERA in the low 4.00’s.

The two hurlers were at the top of their game, and we saw a scoreless contest into the bottom of the 5th when a solo homerun from Jim O’Rourke gave Houston a 1-0 lead. Houston missed a chance to double their lead when HR Johnson missed on a suicide squeeze attempt, leaving Craig Biggio to be easy pickings at home.

The Black Barons would finally touch Strasburg in the top of the 7th, when Hank Aaron launched a 2 run homerun, scoring Curtis Granderson to put Birmingham in front. They would add another run in the 8th, scoring against Mark Melancon when an RBI single from Tom Herr plated Omar Infante for a 3-1 lead, and then another in the 9th when Eddie Mathews took Melancon deep.

So. 4-1 Birmingham. But Hudson was gassed at this point after a marvelous effort: 8 innings, 5 hits, and only the single run allowed. But, Birmingham’s closer, Carlos Díaz, wasn’t an option. So the Black Barons turned to Harley Young to close the door.

It went OK at first: Jim Wynn led off the bottom of the 9th with a single, but Johnson grounded out, and after consecutive singles loaded the bases, Lance Berkman struck out. So, bases loaded, 2 outs.

Young gave up an RBI single to Jorge Posada, prompting Birmingham to bring in hard-throwing Steve Bedrosian … who promptly surrendered a walk-off, grand-slam, homerun to Casey Stengel.

Melancon, who did not pitch very well, improved his record to a stunning 7-1 out of the bullpen, while Birmingham ended up with nothing to show for Hudson’s great effort.

Granderson had 2 hits for Birmingham, while Jeff Bagwell and Tony Gwynn had 2 each for Houston.

BBB 4 (Young 0-4; Bedrosian 2 BSv) @ HOU 6 (Melancon 7-1)
HRs: BBB – Aaron (11), Mathews (11); HOU – O’Rourke (5), Stengel (6).
Box Score

Other Noteworthy Games

The Ottawa Mounties turned to Gary Peters, freshly back from AAA, to take on Ned Garvin of the Baltimore Black Sox, who is making an argument for the best pitcher in the WBL at the moment: this certainly seemed like a mismatch. But it was Ottawa, perhaps enlivened by the return of Larry Walker from the DL, who held the lead, 4-3, heading into the 9th. Curt Blefary turned it around with a 2-run shot, Brian Roberts added another RBI, and while they gave up a run in the bottom of the frame, Baltimore’s bullpen held on.

BBB 6 (Miller 2-0, 1 BSv; Bessent 8 Sv) @ OTT 5 (Bowsfield 2-1, 1 BSv; Dempster 2 H; Leroux 1 H)
HRs: BBB – Blefary (19).
Box Score

A 6-run Homestead comeback in the bottom of the 8th, keyed by homeruns from Tom Brown and Rick Reichardt, went for naught as Yasiel Puig hit his third homerun of the day in the 9th inning to give the New York Gothams the win. Puig tied the league record for homeruns in a game and picked up 6 RBIs, while Mike Epstein and Reichardt each had 3 hits for the Grays. While note involved in the decision, the Gothams’ Gaylord Perry was fantastic through 5 innings, allowing only 1 unearned run.

NYG 8 (Wilson 1-0) @ HOM 7 (Jackson 2-2, 1 BSv)
HRs: NYG – Puig 3 (6), Rojas (1); HOM – Brown (1), Reichardt (9).
Box Score

When the Los Angeles Angels closed out their series against the San Francisco Sea Lions, they were looking to salvage a series split and, perhaps as importantly, to find out more about what they have in young Nolan Ryan, who has been a bit erratic since moving into the starting rotation. Ryan delivered a typical “good” performance for him: 5 innings, 2 hits (but 7 walks), and no runs. San Francisco’s Eddie Plank turned in another strong start, going 7.2 innings allowing only 2 runs. So the Angels took a 2-1 lead into the 9th. And then the wheels fell off for both teams: Los Angeles rocked Ron Robinson for four runs, the key hit being a 2-out, bases loaded triple from Doug Rader. But two of the Angels better bullpen arms–Jonny Venters and closer Joe Nathan–couldn’t hold it, with Mickey Cochrane, who seems perpetually on the verge of being sent to AAA, ending the contest with a walk-off 3 run homerun.

LAA 6 (Nathan 3-4, 4 BSv; Galvin 1 H; Rodríguez 6 H; Venters 8 H) @ SFS 7 (Robinson 4-1)
HRs: SFS – Cochrane (5).
Box Score