There will always be something magical about Opening Day. Particularly for fans in northern climes, as the stirrings begin with the first newspaper reports of players showing up at Spring Training camps while it's still cold and snowy outside of your window. And then Opening Day--the birds are singing, the grass is greening, and the Boys of Summer have returned.
It was a cold and blustery Opening Day in Montreal this season with a game time temperature of 46 degrees F (8C) and a brisk wind blowing in from right field. It didn't seem to bother the Montreal bats, as they scored runs in each of the first five innings on the way to a 6-2 victory over Brooklyn. Del Plummer (1-0) picked up the win with 8 innings pitched before being lifted for a pinch hitter.
Montreal went 2-4 during the first week, splitting the opening series with Brooklyn 2-2 before dropping the first 2 games of a series in Baltimore. Baltimore looks strong in the early going, outscoring us 15-4 in those two games.
Our catching duo looks good, with both Sam Sanderson (.455/.455/.545) and Paul Tattersall (.500/.545/.1.100) starting 3 games a piece. Tattersall slugged 2 home runs in a single game against Brooklyn.
Third baseman Fred Welsch (.381/.458/.571, 1, 3) seems to be grateful that we stuck with him at the hot corner instead of young Bob Clements.
Not much good to report on the pitching side. Del Plummer started 2 games, one good against Brooklyn and one bad against Baltimore. Overall the pitching performance was poor. And the early indications are that the defense also leaves a lot to be desired. We may not see much improvement in the pitching until we can get our defense under control.
Minor League News
Minneapolis (AAA) is 2nd in the Century League at 7-4, 1/2 game behind the Houston Bulls. The Lumberjacks have the best offense in the Century, lead by third baseman Bob Clements (.375/.435/.625, 2, 16) and out fielder Felix Foxworthy (.366/.435/.634, 2, 12). Both Clements and Foxworthy were in camp with the Saints and would appear to have the inside track if reinforcements were needed in Montreal. Pitcher Dick Gallo (2-0, 0.56) has spent 10 years in a Minneapolis uniform (winning 112 games) without once getting a cup of coffee in the FABL. If the pitching doesn't improve in Montreal, the train between Minneapolis and Montreal may be getting plenty of use.
Nashville (AA) has a record of 5-5, 1 game out of first in a competitive Dixie League. The Chieftains are 2nd in the league in both runs scored and runs allowed. The bats have been lead by first baseman Pat Martin (.368/.442/.737, 2, 7) and catcher Jim Shaffer (.341/.349/.585, 2, 13). Pitcher Charlie Stedman, whom we acquired from the Chicago Chiefs in the off-season, has also looked good--posting a 2-0 record with a 1.00 ERA and striking out 18 in 18 innings.
Evansville (A) has a 6-4 record, 2 games behind Heartland League leading Lincoln. Evansville has shown the most power in the circuit (hitting 18 home runs to Wichita's 12). Jack Sykora (.256/.293/.564) leads the way with 4, while Tony Henderson (.318/.375/.682), Tony Morris (.316/.435/.632), and Henri Veron (.289/.347/.533) have each hit 3.
Mobile (B) is the only minor league club without a good story to tell, currently in the basement of the Southeastern League with a 2-9 record. They have the worst offense and the worst pitching staff in the league so far in this young season. Infielder Roy Garrison (.316/.409/.368), who was just drafted in the 8th round in December's draft, is one of the few bright spots.