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DD Martin · 08-04-2021, 08:01 PM

The Detroit World
Sunday March 20th 1938
Sunday Sports Final
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Welcome to Spring Training 1938

Yes you read that right. After a very long off-season tomorrow there will be baseball games being played. No they won't count but the FABL will have a full spring training set of games that 16 hopeful teams will gear up and prepare for the regular season. How will the Dynamo's do this season after an off-season that saw a lot of activity. Pretty much around the league many feel the Dynamo's have improved on the mound where with their acquisitions of SP Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler. Fans are also excited to see the 2nd season of CF Sal Pestilli who was named locally as the FABL's rookie of the year (no award exists in the league currently). Everyone is also excited to see the first full season with 1B Red Johnson as the Dynamo's hope to have a very power laden lineup to hopefully score more runs.

So let's give a brief breakdown of each area of the club who has invited 46 players to camp.

Starting Pitching (5 Spots)
Locks - Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler
Pretty Sure Bet - Roger Perry
Battling for the #5 Spot - Stumpy Beaman, Bob Walls, Hank Spencer, Ben Watkins and Jack Wood
Longshot - Earle Killebrew
Maybe Next Year - Bill Willman, Lou Robertson

We know those 3 (Coles, Crawford and Wheeler) will occupy the top spots in the rotation, but who will join them? There are probably 4 guys in line for those next two spots and the battle will be between SP Roger Perry who was fantastic after coming over from Cleveland last season (6-2 3.87 with Detroit). Also you are looking at SP Bob Walls who came over from the Chicago Chiefs hoping to get a chance to pitch in the rotation, along with SP Stumpy Beaman, Hank Spencer and Jack Wood. The odds are Perry is a lock so that means the other 4 are likely fighting for that last spot, of course barring injury. As a Dynamo fan it has to feel good to know that there is some depth in the organization.

Rounding out the players in camp are youngsters Lou Robertson and Bill Willman who are both Top 100 prospects as well as SP Earle Killebrew. Robertson and WIllman don't figure to be up in the big league camp too long as they are slated to both start at Class A Terre Haute and then hopefully move up to Class AA mid-summer.

Bullpen - (3-4 spots)
Locks - None
Pretty Sure Bet - Jim Hawkins
Fighting for 1-2 spots - Chuck Calvert, Ben Curtin
Long Shots - Russ Reel, Ed Petty Gil Knight
Maybe Next Year - Eddie Seguin
Rule 5 Likely - David Rivas

Nothing is really locked in for the bullpen but the Dynamo's have a fairly good idea of what they are going to do. RP Jim Hawkins has been pegged for the late inning role after a successful 2-year run at AAA Newark. While he will have to prove himself this spring, he is the front runner.

The odds are fairly good that Chuck Calvert and Ben Curtin will both return. Calvert has thrown his last pitch as a SP after the last 2 campaigns saw him struggle and he is getting up there in age (turning 35 June 3rd) but he has been a reliable bullpen arm with the Dynamo's and before that with the Gotham's. RP Ben Curtin was picked off the scrap heap from St. Louis last season and threw 52 innings of 3.46 baseball. If the Dynamo's go with this configuration the only issue is there will be no lefty in the bullpen unless they let one of the starting pitch some relief innings. The other option is that Hank Spencer (who is a lefty) doesn't make the rotation, he might be kept on the staff in the bullpen. Spencer is out of options and he pitch well last year. If that happens it could be the end of the line for either Calvert or Curtin.

The Wildcard in this equation is Rule 5 pick David Rivas who GM DD Martin has always liked and wanted to draft at one time. Rivas was plucked from the Chicago Chiefs and Martin says he will stay in the organization one way or the other. He might try and work out a deal with the Chiefs for a low round draft pick that would allow them to carry Rivas in the minors. If that doesn't happen he will be the 9th man on the pitching staff.

Last year the Dynamo's experimented with the 6 starting pitchers and 2 bullpen arms and allowing everyone to toss in the pen. They abandoned that during the season and at this point we are not sure if they will go back to it or not.

Veteran pitchers Gil Knight and Russ Reel are non-roster invitees to spring training. Reel is in the organization and pitched well at AAA last year where as Knight was picked up in the off-season off waivers. If he doesn't make the team he would have to be DFA and go through waivers and then if unclaimed elect to remain in the organization. Rookie Eddie Sequin is going to close in AAA Newark this year but he is getting work and letting the coaching staff see what he can do for at least a couple of weeks.

Catchers (2 spots)
Lock - Ben Richardson
Likely Backup - Clem Bliss
Longshot - Curt Squillante
Maybe Next Year - Packy Peck

Barring any trades, injuries or unforeseen actions, the Dynamo's appear set to have Richardson and Bliss be the top 2 catchers on the team. Richardson finally had a bit of a breakout at age 27 last year hitting 279 last season. He threw out 41% of would be base stealers and really improved his defensive game. Detroit management hoped that Bliss was to be last year's starting catcher, but a disastrous spring led to him going to AAA. He is known for his on base percentage in the minors as he is very good at drawing walks. His defense was less than hoped for last year and that could open the door. Hoping that door is cracked just a little bit is veteran Curt Squillante who was signed to a minor league pact with a big league option. He will have to show his bat some, but is a very solid defender and might be what the club wants as a backup. Packy Peck is #3 on the catching depth chart on the 40-man but is likely to be in Newark (AAA) this season.

Infield (4 spots with 3-4 bench spots)
Locks - 1B Red Johnson, 2B Ed Stewart, 3B Frank LeMieux
Likely make team - SS Erv Smith, IF Don Ward, IF Jake Shadoan
50/50 - SS Gil London, IF Claude Merrill
Maybe next year - 2B Dale Robbins, 3B Phil McKenna, 2B Arnold Allen
Rule 5 Lock - SS Jim Smith

Most of the positions and even the backup spots on the team are locked up. It is known going into the season that 1B Red Johnson, 2B/3B Ed Stewart and 3B Frank LeMieux will be starting. It is also fairly well known that Don Ward who can back up any spot on the infield and Jake Shadoan who can play 2B, 3B and 1B will also make the team. The true competition on the club will be at SS. That position is thought to be SS Erv Smith's at least for a year, but a strong spring by SS Gil London will perhaps force the team's hand.

Now some will look at this with SS Jim Smith (and some have) and wonder why he is even on the 40-man roster. Smith has a rare combination of speed that the Dynamo's sorely lack and that GM DD Martin has been searching for. Better than that he is the new team captain and with OF Irv Brady being DFA right before training camp. Smith is practically guaranteed a spot on the roster.

Management has soured some on 2B/IF Claude Merrill because while he has tremendous power, he can't seem to hit for a consistent average. He will likely be optioned to play 1B at Newark. 2B Dale Robbins (23) who was taken out of the Indy league in the minor league draft will start the year at AAA. 3B Phil McKenna (24) surprised a lot of people with his bat (314/418/911) last year and will likely be the opening day 3B for AAA Newark.

Outfield (5 spots)
Locks - CF Sal Pestilli, RF Leon Drake, LF Elmer Nodle
Fighting for backup spots - RF Wayne Morgan, RF Sid Williams, LF Jay Buckingham, CF Bert Wilson
Longshots - Pete Thomas
Maybe Next Year - Woody Roseberry

The starting OF is fairly well set with CF Pestilli, RF Drake and LF Nodle. The plan is that Nodle will start against right handed hitters and could platoon with either RF Wayne Morgan or RF Sid Williams. Williams was up last season and started well but faded some while Morgan who played at AAA Newark hit better the 2nd half of the year. Odds are the Morgan will get the chance to share the OF with Nodle but play RF against RHP's and Drake will slide over to LF. Drake who is versatile can play both corners and has been a very good CF in his career.

If spring survivor of Morgan/Williams takes one backup spot, the other one will be a battle Jay Buckingham who has hit well and has very good speed and Bert Wilson. Wilson has solid fielding credentials but didn't' find a lot of success with the Chicago Cougars. He also has very good speed and that is something the club very much wants on its bench. Wilson has options though and Buckingham doesn't, so that is likely the way it will shake out with Buckingham getting the spot.

Also in camp but facing a long hill is OF Pete Thomas. While listed as a CF he is definitely more of a corner OF defensively. While he is likely a better bat than the others mentioned (Buckingham and Wilson) he is one of the most unmotivated players I have seen. In talking with Manager George Theobald, he notes that Thomas will really have to hit lights out to force his way on the team. He is out of options so he would likely get taken (maybe) if exposed to waivers.

The rookie in camp is Woody Roseberry (23) who hit 348 and forced the Dynamo's to protect him during the off-season. He won't make the opening day roster and will likely be in the AAA OF with RF Williams, CF Wilson and look to play LF.

Coaches
Manager - George Theobald (career record 2237-1955, Detroit record 482-485)
Bench Coach - Dud Joerger
Pitching Coach - Jack Johncox
Hitting Coach - Jim Webb
1B Coach - Frank Robertson
3B Coach - John Michaels

There was quite the shake up from the start of last season to this season in the coaching staff as the only holdover from last spring is 1B Coach Frank Robertson. Veteran skipper (and minority team owner) George Theobald (75) takes over. Now some in the game have questioned how long Theobald will stay in the dugout at his advanced age but let me tell you he is the youngest looking 75-year-old man I have ever seen. George says his strict diet and a very clean living lifestyle have contributed to his health.

Bench Coach Dud Joerger (55) came over as having served as Seattle Thunderbirds manager for 3 seasons and has a 7 season career mark of 561-414.

Pitching Coach Jack Johncox came on mid-season last year and Hitting Coach Jim Webb was hired in the off-season. Webb specializes in power hitters so he should fit in even with his limited experience. John Michaels comes in as a well respected 3B coach and will work with the teams base running. 1B Coach Frank Robertson is very good as a defensive instructor for catching and the infield.

Overall the Dynamo's appear headed in the right direction, but will it be enough to escape a 7th place finish in the rugged Federal Association?

08-04-2021, 08:01 PM	#149
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 961	The Detroit World Sunday March 20th 1938 Sunday Sports Final From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat Welcome to Spring Training 1938 Yes you read that right. After a very long off-season tomorrow there will be baseball games being played. No they won't count but the FABL will have a full spring training set of games that 16 hopeful teams will gear up and prepare for the regular season. How will the Dynamo's do this season after an off-season that saw a lot of activity. Pretty much around the league many feel the Dynamo's have improved on the mound where with their acquisitions of SP Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler. Fans are also excited to see the 2nd season of CF Sal Pestilli who was named locally as the FABL's rookie of the year (no award exists in the league currently). Everyone is also excited to see the first full season with 1B Red Johnson as the Dynamo's hope to have a very power laden lineup to hopefully score more runs. So let's give a brief breakdown of each area of the club who has invited 46 players to camp. Starting Pitching (5 Spots) Locks - Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler Pretty Sure Bet - Roger Perry Battling for the #5 Spot - Stumpy Beaman, Bob Walls, Hank Spencer, Ben Watkins and Jack Wood Longshot - Earle Killebrew Maybe Next Year - Bill Willman, Lou Robertson We know those 3 (Coles, Crawford and Wheeler) will occupy the top spots in the rotation, but who will join them? There are probably 4 guys in line for those next two spots and the battle will be between SP Roger Perry who was fantastic after coming over from Cleveland last season (6-2 3.87 with Detroit). Also you are looking at SP Bob Walls who came over from the Chicago Chiefs hoping to get a chance to pitch in the rotation, along with SP Stumpy Beaman, Hank Spencer and Jack Wood. The odds are Perry is a lock so that means the other 4 are likely fighting for that last spot, of course barring injury. As a Dynamo fan it has to feel good to know that there is some depth in the organization. Rounding out the players in camp are youngsters Lou Robertson and Bill Willman who are both Top 100 prospects as well as SP Earle Killebrew. Robertson and WIllman don't figure to be up in the big league camp too long as they are slated to both start at Class A Terre Haute and then hopefully move up to Class AA mid-summer. Bullpen - (3-4 spots) Locks - None Pretty Sure Bet - Jim Hawkins Fighting for 1-2 spots - Chuck Calvert, Ben Curtin Long Shots - Russ Reel, Ed Petty Gil Knight Maybe Next Year - Eddie Seguin Rule 5 Likely - David Rivas Nothing is really locked in for the bullpen but the Dynamo's have a fairly good idea of what they are going to do. RP Jim Hawkins has been pegged for the late inning role after a successful 2-year run at AAA Newark. While he will have to prove himself this spring, he is the front runner. The odds are fairly good that Chuck Calvert and Ben Curtin will both return. Calvert has thrown his last pitch as a SP after the last 2 campaigns saw him struggle and he is getting up there in age (turning 35 June 3rd) but he has been a reliable bullpen arm with the Dynamo's and before that with the Gotham's. RP Ben Curtin was picked off the scrap heap from St. Louis last season and threw 52 innings of 3.46 baseball. If the Dynamo's go with this configuration the only issue is there will be no lefty in the bullpen unless they let one of the starting pitch some relief innings. The other option is that Hank Spencer (who is a lefty) doesn't make the rotation, he might be kept on the staff in the bullpen. Spencer is out of options and he pitch well last year. If that happens it could be the end of the line for either Calvert or Curtin. The Wildcard in this equation is Rule 5 pick David Rivas who GM DD Martin has always liked and wanted to draft at one time. Rivas was plucked from the Chicago Chiefs and Martin says he will stay in the organization one way or the other. He might try and work out a deal with the Chiefs for a low round draft pick that would allow them to carry Rivas in the minors. If that doesn't happen he will be the 9th man on the pitching staff. Last year the Dynamo's experimented with the 6 starting pitchers and 2 bullpen arms and allowing everyone to toss in the pen. They abandoned that during the season and at this point we are not sure if they will go back to it or not. Veteran pitchers Gil Knight and Russ Reel are non-roster invitees to spring training. Reel is in the organization and pitched well at AAA last year where as Knight was picked up in the off-season off waivers. If he doesn't make the team he would have to be DFA and go through waivers and then if unclaimed elect to remain in the organization. Rookie Eddie Sequin is going to close in AAA Newark this year but he is getting work and letting the coaching staff see what he can do for at least a couple of weeks. Catchers (2 spots) Lock - Ben Richardson Likely Backup - Clem Bliss Longshot - Curt Squillante Maybe Next Year - Packy Peck Barring any trades, injuries or unforeseen actions, the Dynamo's appear set to have Richardson and Bliss be the top 2 catchers on the team. Richardson finally had a bit of a breakout at age 27 last year hitting 279 last season. He threw out 41% of would be base stealers and really improved his defensive game. Detroit management hoped that Bliss was to be last year's starting catcher, but a disastrous spring led to him going to AAA. He is known for his on base percentage in the minors as he is very good at drawing walks. His defense was less than hoped for last year and that could open the door. Hoping that door is cracked just a little bit is veteran Curt Squillante who was signed to a minor league pact with a big league option. He will have to show his bat some, but is a very solid defender and might be what the club wants as a backup. Packy Peck is #3 on the catching depth chart on the 40-man but is likely to be in Newark (AAA) this season. Infield (4 spots with 3-4 bench spots) Locks - 1B Red Johnson, 2B Ed Stewart, 3B Frank LeMieux Likely make team - SS Erv Smith, IF Don Ward, IF Jake Shadoan 50/50 - SS Gil London, IF Claude Merrill Maybe next year - 2B Dale Robbins, 3B Phil McKenna, 2B Arnold Allen Rule 5 Lock - SS Jim Smith Most of the positions and even the backup spots on the team are locked up. It is known going into the season that 1B Red Johnson, 2B/3B Ed Stewart and 3B Frank LeMieux will be starting. It is also fairly well known that Don Ward who can back up any spot on the infield and Jake Shadoan who can play 2B, 3B and 1B will also make the team. The true competition on the club will be at SS. That position is thought to be SS Erv Smith's at least for a year, but a strong spring by SS Gil London will perhaps force the team's hand. Now some will look at this with SS Jim Smith (and some have) and wonder why he is even on the 40-man roster. Smith has a rare combination of speed that the Dynamo's sorely lack and that GM DD Martin has been searching for. Better than that he is the new team captain and with OF Irv Brady being DFA right before training camp. Smith is practically guaranteed a spot on the roster. Management has soured some on 2B/IF Claude Merrill because while he has tremendous power, he can't seem to hit for a consistent average. He will likely be optioned to play 1B at Newark. 2B Dale Robbins (23) who was taken out of the Indy league in the minor league draft will start the year at AAA. 3B Phil McKenna (24) surprised a lot of people with his bat (314/418/911) last year and will likely be the opening day 3B for AAA Newark. Outfield (5 spots) Locks - CF Sal Pestilli, RF Leon Drake, LF Elmer Nodle Fighting for backup spots - RF Wayne Morgan, RF Sid Williams, LF Jay Buckingham, CF Bert Wilson Longshots - Pete Thomas Maybe Next Year - Woody Roseberry The starting OF is fairly well set with CF Pestilli, RF Drake and LF Nodle. The plan is that Nodle will start against right handed hitters and could platoon with either RF Wayne Morgan or RF Sid Williams. Williams was up last season and started well but faded some while Morgan who played at AAA Newark hit better the 2nd half of the year. Odds are the Morgan will get the chance to share the OF with Nodle but play RF against RHP's and Drake will slide over to LF. Drake who is versatile can play both corners and has been a very good CF in his career. If spring survivor of Morgan/Williams takes one backup spot, the other one will be a battle Jay Buckingham who has hit well and has very good speed and Bert Wilson. Wilson has solid fielding credentials but didn't' find a lot of success with the Chicago Cougars. He also has very good speed and that is something the club very much wants on its bench. Wilson has options though and Buckingham doesn't, so that is likely the way it will shake out with Buckingham getting the spot. Also in camp but facing a long hill is OF Pete Thomas. While listed as a CF he is definitely more of a corner OF defensively. While he is likely a better bat than the others mentioned (Buckingham and Wilson) he is one of the most unmotivated players I have seen. In talking with Manager George Theobald, he notes that Thomas will really have to hit lights out to force his way on the team. He is out of options so he would likely get taken (maybe) if exposed to waivers. The rookie in camp is Woody Roseberry (23) who hit 348 and forced the Dynamo's to protect him during the off-season. He won't make the opening day roster and will likely be in the AAA OF with RF Williams, CF Wilson and look to play LF. Coaches Manager - George Theobald (career record 2237-1955, Detroit record 482-485) Bench Coach - Dud Joerger Pitching Coach - Jack Johncox Hitting Coach - Jim Webb 1B Coach - Frank Robertson 3B Coach - John Michaels There was quite the shake up from the start of last season to this season in the coaching staff as the only holdover from last spring is 1B Coach Frank Robertson. Veteran skipper (and minority team owner) George Theobald (75) takes over. Now some in the game have questioned how long Theobald will stay in the dugout at his advanced age but let me tell you he is the youngest looking 75-year-old man I have ever seen. George says his strict diet and a very clean living lifestyle have contributed to his health. Bench Coach Dud Joerger (55) came over as having served as Seattle Thunderbirds manager for 3 seasons and has a 7 season career mark of 561-414. Pitching Coach Jack Johncox came on mid-season last year and Hitting Coach Jim Webb was hired in the off-season. Webb specializes in power hitters so he should fit in even with his limited experience. John Michaels comes in as a well respected 3B coach and will work with the teams base running. 1B Coach Frank Robertson is very good as a defensive instructor for catching and the infield. Overall the Dynamo's appear headed in the right direction, but will it be enough to escape a 7th place finish in the rugged Federal Association?