The Detroit World
Monday July 26th, 1937
Sports News
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat
Signs of Life?
Even without Sal Pestilli in the lineup this week the Dynamo's showed signs of life winning 3 out of 7 games. While that doesn't sound like much, but when 14-51
over the last 2+ months, its improvement.
Weekly Record 3-4
Season Record 27-65 (8th place 29.5 games back)
Monday July 19th 1937
Philadelphia Sailors 3 @ Detroit Dynamo's 2
Keystones Top Dynamos, 3-2, Behind Myers
Despite SP Chuck Murphy continuing to show everyone that he is a better pitcher than his record, his effort Monday was wasted. Murphy (6-11 3.84) pitched a complete game 6-hitter giving up 3 runs but was outdone by Keystone SP Art Myers (10-6 4.37).
A- 9,371
Tuesday July 20, 1937
Pittsburgh Miners 2 @
Detroit Dynamo's 3
Dynamos Sneak Past Miners, 3-2
The Detroit Dynamos picked up a win at Thompson Field, knocking off the Pittsburgh Miners, 3-2. Starting pitcher Ben Watkins played a key role in the triumph. In 9 innings, Watkins surrendered 8 hits, while striking out 4 and walking 5. He allowed 2 runs. The win has Detroit at 25-62.
Detroit took a 3-2 lead on Sid Williams's 6th double of the season. The run-scoring double, which Williams hit in the bottom of the eighth, left Pittsburgh pitcher Lefty Allen shaking his head.
After the game Watkins (1-0 2.00) stated that outdueling Lefty Allen (12-6 3.22) in his return to the big leagues was quite a thrill. It was a rare win for the Dynamo's against Pittsburgh this season as the Miners have dominated the season series 10-2
A-7,144
Wednesday July 21, 1937
Pittsburgh Miners 5 @ Detroit Dynamo's 4
Lockwood Hits 2 home runs in Miners Win
The Pittsburgh Miners turned back the Detroit Dynamos, 5-4, at Thompson Field. Elmer Lockwood, in particular, had a fine performance. He went 3 for 4 with 2 home runs and a walk. The win gives Pittsburgh a season record of 50-37.
Dynamo SP Jim Cavender (2-2 3.94) pitched a decent game outside the 2 home runs by Lockwood. Besides Lockwood's heroics, Pittsburgh SP Charlie Stedman (10-10 3.51) was sharp in his own right. His only blemish on the day was C Ben Richardson's 3 run home in the 6th.
A-9,077
Thursday July 22, 1937
Pittsburgh Miners 5 @
Detroit Dynamo's 6
Dynamo's Rally to Surprise Miners and Win Series
The Dynamo's trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the 7th scored twice in the inning to tie the game. Then 2B Jake Shadoan hit a clutch 2-out game winning RBI single in the 8th to win the game. The good fortune with the bats benefitted SP Hank Spencer who was again less than stellar as he wins his 5th game (5-8). RP Ben Curtin worked a scoreless 9th giving up a hit and striking out 2 to earn his 2nd save.
A-8,095
Friday July 23, 1937
Boston Minutemen 1 @
Detroit Dynamo's 5
Dynamos Top Minutemen, 5-1, Behind Murphy
The Juggernaut Detroit Dynamo's won their 3rd straight game behind SP "SuperStar" Chuck Murphy who had a strong outing against the Boston Minutemen at Thompson Field. The right-hander was a big part of his team's 5-1 win. The triumph makes Detroit 27-63.
Murphy's performance can only be described as masterful. He notched 5 strikeouts in 9 innings while allowing 6 hits. Murphy, who is tied for 5th in the FA with a 1.29 WHIP, goes to 7-11 on the year with 49 strikeouts. Murphy is making a strong case for him to retain his role of "SuperStar" and SP for the Dynamo's next season.
A-11,738
Saturday July 24, 1937
Boston Minutemen 9 @ Detroit Dynamo's 7
Minutemen Wear Down Dynamos, 9-7 in 10 Innings
After 5 innings the Dynamos were looking like they might win their 4th in a row with a 7-1 lead. But as good as SP Harlin Bates was in the first 5 innings, it quickly fell apart for him and the bullpen over the last 5 innings in a tough loss.
3B Ken Mayhugh is proving why so many thought he was a great young hitter. He went 4-6 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI's in leading Boston's comeback win. In the loss 3B Buck Sargent who is fighting to keep his roster spot homered for the 2nd straight day, and on the Day Max Morris announced his retirement he hit a home run, his 6th on the year.
A- 11,429
Sunday July 25, 1937
Boston Minutemen 7 @ Detroit Dynamo's 1
Minutemen Top Dynamos, 7-1, Behind Nelson
For a minute some thought Nelson was Chicago SP Rabbit Day the way he was throwing and everyone realized the hopes for a winning week at home were over. Nelson (11-8) gave up 5 hits and struck out 6 only giving up LF Leon Drake solo home run in the 8th inning.
For Drake the home run was bitter sweet as he has been complaining about his back for the last few days. He will be evaluated but might join Sal Pestilli on the DL which would really cripple the Dynamo's already bad offense.
SP Ben Watkins (1-1) struggled in his 2nd start since coming up. Giving up 10 hits and 7 earned runs while walking 5.
A-11,102
GM Thoughts -
Our best week since early July when we went 4-4. Right now our pitching is just so inconsistent. The hitting has been awful for most of the season so nothing new there.
Roster Moves -
We decide to no DL Drake who is d-t-d with the sore back, but we will limit him next week to pinch hitting duties.
We also assigned 2B Juan Sarmiento to class AAA Newark, moving 2B/3B Harry Fuller to class A Terre Haute for a few weeks.
So far this year throughout the organization we have been blessed with pretty good health. A credit to our medical and training team led by Dr. Ted Booth.
As our record has sagged so has our attendance. We are now down to averaging 12,846. That number is still up 72% over last years numbers but it shows that this fan base really wants to see a winner as the numbers have continued to fall since early in the year. Even with the attendance numbers sliding the club still projects to make a $450,000 profit, which is a 177% increase. But I still know what our ownership wants and that is a lot more wins.
Minor Leagues
Exciting news for our organization and fans as we have promoted
1B Red Johnson to play the last 2 months of the season with AAA Newark. Johnson turned around his bb:k numbers at AA after it being 1:3 in his first 2 weeks. He ends his 3 week stint with AA Akron hitting 310/463/1130 with 5 home runs, 13 RBI's 11 walks and 4 K's. Johnson will still be just 19 at the start of next season, but he could be starting in Detroit if he handles AAA well and has a solid spring.
C Clem Bliss (AAA Newark) after a lousy spring and an equally slow start to the season in Newark is finally starting to heat up the bat. He was acquired because of his batting average and ability to draw walks to help shore up an offense that struggled in both. Last week he hit 368 with 3 walks and scored 4 runs. He is now up to 253 on the season and will likely get a shot in September to show what he can (or can't) do.
RF Wayne Morgan (AAA Newark) had 11 hits and 4 walks scoring 11 runs for the week in 26 AB's. He is solidly in the mix for a backup OF role next season. Morgan will likely need to be protected in the off-season so I can see him getting a potential September call up.
SS Tip Harrison who at one time was a highly rated prospect, reminded everyone he is not done and still capable of being a big league player. Last week he drove in 10 RBI's with a double, triple and 2 home runs. Harrison is hitting 277 at AA and would like to be in the mix next spring for at least a bench role with the big league club.
3B Hank Koblenz while not tearing the cover off the ball did drive in 8 RBI's with a homer for Class A Terre Haute. He is not on the same time table as 1B Red Johnson, but he is likely the future 3B for the Dynamo's in a couple of years. If he can cut down on his strikeout, he could start next season at AA.