A late addition to this week's edition is a report on the state of the Wolves from Brett Bing of the Toronto Mail & Empire.
TALES FROM THE LAIR
Wolves Will Stumble Home After Almost 3 Weeks On The Road - Toronto's baseball heroes will return to Dominion Stadium after a 15 game, 17 day road trip to face the Philadelphia Sailors for a weekend series starting on the last day of June. After today's travel day, the last leg of the toad trip is going to be a tough one, beginning tomorrow with the Wolves facing the CA leading Cannons of Cincinnati. Toronto enters the final stop on the road swing with a disappointing 3-9 mark so far.
Brett is going to change his column a bit going forward. Instead of providing condensed recaps of games which most fans either know from listening to on the radio or can garner from the published box scores, he will concentrate on highlights then try to peer into the future. He will write about strengths and weaknesses of the current team along with possible upgrade plans that he will get from talking to his front office contacts.
In the first series of the road trip the Wolves managed to take 1 of 3 from each of the Stars, Cougars and Saints before being swept by the Kings over this past weekend in Brooklyn. The team has been competitive in most games on road, including two losses in extra innings, with exception of one, a 13-5 embarrassment at the hands of the Cougars. The Wolves three victories have been lopsided 14-3, 9-4 and 13-0, so things go well when the bats come alive. Unfortunately, the bats seem to cool off fast after an explosion and then remain in the freezer for a period. At the moment the Wolves are 12 games under their unspoken objective of playing at least .500 ball for the season at 27-39.
The team has not been able win the close games often getting walked off: Toronto is 5-12 in games decided by one-run including 2-6 in games that go beyond 9 innings. Reverse those games the Wolves would 34-32 and just three games behind the Cannons. The team has also struggled mightily against right handers with an FABL low of 16 wins against a pitcher that throws from the third base side of the mound. Righties have 28 wins when the Wolves are the opposition.
Offensively, on the season Toronto has just scored seven fewer runs than they have given up for the season which suggests their record should much better than it actually is. The problem here is what is in evidence on this trip, they tend to win by big margins but then lose anything close.
Many veteran observers feel that close games are where the manager shows his mettle, earns his pay. If this true then Fred Barrell's job should be on the line, according to Brett's insiders this is far from the case. Everyone from club owner Bernie Millard on down the organization knew there would be growing pains for Barrell when he took his first managing job at the highest level of the game on team that was heading into a transition. From all reports Barrell along with his staff have the full backing of the executive staff including Millard, who is not known for his patience in any of varied business interests of his empire. The Wolves have just announced that staff members Dick Dennis, Lloyd McGowan, Art Willis have been extended showing the faith ownership has in its on-field staff.
The Wolves problems as mentioned earlier has been the inability to win the close ones. Lou Jayson, who missed the entirety of 1949, was pegged to be to the stabilizing factor for bullpen. Although Jayson's stats look impressive, he, along with the other relievers, have caused their own problems with the reliever killer - base on balls. Only one pitcher whose primary job has been out of the 'pen has struck out more batters than he has walked this season. That pitcher is Harry Phillips who has had other problems as batters are hitting .314 on his offerings to the plate.
The starting rotation with the exception of Joe Hancock has been inconsistent, Hancock is only one with more batters retired on strikes than walks. Starters generally have been Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde, a good start followed by one or two starts where they look like they do not belong in the FABL. Barrell has often left between a rock and a hard place when going to pull the starter and not having any idea of what he is going to get from the guy coming into the game.
Compounding the problem is there simply appears to be no solution in the minor league system where there is not a guy to go to. Bob Currier is making a case for himself in Buffalo. He may soon see himself north of the border, which will mean a current staff member will be DFA. Former first overall selection Les Ledbetter continues to terribly under perform in Buffalo, 0-9 with an ERA of 5.09. Every time his name is mentioned scouts run for cover.
At the plate the team has been much better than expected even with a definite lack of power. They have hit an FABL low of 19 round trippers. Toronto's team batting average and on base rate have recovered to near league average after a very slow start. Harry Finney's .330/.396/ 440 line along with Joe DeMott's .289/.379/.409 have been pleasant surprises from Barrell. Hal Wood continues his normal rate at the bat. Fred McCormick continues to contribute even at age 40.
Finney, DeMott and Wood's performances have left the staff with a little problem, although a good one. If fans where expecting to see John Wells in the FABL may have to wait a year because although he is doing well at AAA he would be a replacement for either Finney or DeMott and Barrell simply cannot afford to take either of their bats out the lineup.
The Wolves other top prospects, Pat Todd, is destined to be Wood's replacement along with Tony Ballinger at first when McCormick hangs them up. Right now, fans, barring injury, should not expect to see any of the three in a regular role until 1951. Kirby Copeland early recall from Buffalo due to Hank Giordano's injury has been a success with a line of .312/.381/.406. Giordano is not expected back until August which will force decision in the outfield.
Defensively the Wolves are improving but still have a long, long way to go to be adequate by Continental Association standards. Both Finney and DeMott have been better in the field with a lot of work with Lloyd McGowan, progress is being seen on almost a daily basis which should help the pitching.
Overall, the Wolves have the basis of a good, not yet contending, team with the youth showing good signs at AAA. The change in minor league philosophy is, as expected, causing teams like AA Chattanooga to have rough seasons. Staff predict that will start to even out in 1951, releases of older players has been high this season, with more to come once Class C season begins in early July.