The Carolina Hogs

[toanstrom]

In 1962 the Continental League was formed out of the mergers of the Atlantic, Central, Midwest and Pacific League's. For the last 36 years the 32 teams have been competing against one another and vying for the Commisioner's Cup. Now, in 1988, the league will expand for the first time. The league will add teams in St. Petersburg, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina. I plan on holding an expansion draft from existing players and then taking over for the Charlotte team. I will manage their games one at a time. Stay tuned for more updates.

[toanstrom]

-Continental League Offices: New York City
The Continental League has announced its first ever expansion since the merger in 1962. In 1988 two new franchises will join the Eastern Association. The Atlantic Confrence will welcome the St. Petersburg Panthers who will be managed by former Arizona Roadrunners star Diego Casillas. The Venzuelan Casillas has already said that his team will stress the stolen base but that will also look for guys who can hit the longball. "Look there's a lot of talk about not needing tools players," said Casillas, "well you show me one team that hasnt had tools players and has won and I'll eat my hat."

The other new club plans to take a different approach. The new addition to the Central Confrence, The Carolina Hogs named a former backup catcher with a lifetime .220 batting average (and a .353 obp), Melvin Short as their manager. Short, who just retired this past season seems an unlikely choice to take the reigns of a young club but he wowed Carolina management and his philosophy of pitiching and the three run homer fits perfectly with the club's management. "Look I learned when I was behind the plate the most important thing in the game is the ability to control that plate. I want my pitchers to throw strikes, I want my hitters to take balls. It's that simple," said Short, "the rest will follow from that."

The League also announced that in 1990 the Western Association will expand by adding clubs in Sacramento and San Antonio.

[toanstrom]

-Earl "Boss" Gutman: The Charlotte Observer-

Well folks, the ol' boss wasnt too happy with the 1st choice this organization made, the manager. I still dont know how I feel about a 38yr old with no experience taking over our new team but at least the organization has done the right thing with the coaching staff.

The scouting director Chase Vandeusen has already made a name for himself at the age of 49. He is an outstanding observer of hitting talent and is a legend for his ability to spot great starters. He should be important in overseeing the next few critical months for this franchise with the free agent market, the first draft and then the expansion draft.

Both the hitting coach and the pitching coach are legends in their fields. Eric Stills is one of the best hitting coaches ever and a true legend, the team may just have to hope he's still serious about the job after 31 years at work. Also many see his signing as one last grab at big money after a career of being known as greedy.

Donte McFall couldnt have a more different reputation if he tried. While McFall is certainly a legendary pitching coach he has always loved the challenge of the job. Carolina should certainly give em that this year. Also he's been on the job 18 years and no one doubts his hunger.

The minor league managers are an equally distinguished crop. Chris Boyter and Albert Roy are both Legends for their work with both young hitters and pitchers. Albert Roy is expected to take the reigns of the Charlottesville Gentelmen (A) and Chris Boyter should run the Myrtle Beach Breakers (AA). Taking command of the AAA club, the Greeneville Spartans will be Bill Gallaher, who at 53 is the youngest of the three managers. He has an excellent reputation with hitters and a good reputation with pitchers. It is certainly an impressive group that the Hogs have assembled.

As Hogs GM Tom Anstrom said after the signings yesterday, "at this point scouting and player development are our top priorites and we felt the contracts we gave (which were quite large) were worth it in the long run." Let's hope he's right. With this crack team in charge the Hogs might be in contention sooner than we think.

[toanstrom]

-Charlotte, NC

The expansion Carolina Hogs have made their first big splash in the Continental League with the signing of Ace closer Jamie Preiss. Priess has been able to rack up not just big save numbers but also has proven he can handle a heavy workload. Last year in Buffalo he struck out 117 batters in 110 innings pitched. At just 31 Preiss certainly has a lot of innings left in that arm as well. Said manager Melvin Young, "Look usually I dont get why an expansion team would sign a big closer but with Jamie it's a different story. He wont be used to just hold leads, he's going to be used to win close games." Preiss was excited about the opportunity, "I've never liked those guys who rack up the saves with 3 run leads, I want the ball when it counts, and Melvin is going to give me the opportunity. I know that I can help this team win right now" said Jesse. Preiss has been noted for his consistency and his ability to provide leadership.

Top scout Chris Vandeheusen summed up his skills this way, "Jesse throws five pitches and varies them well, he keeps hitters off balance. Both his stuff and his movement are just electric. I mean this guy has the filthiest stuff I've seen in a while, 100 out of a 100. No doubt. His movement is almost as good. There is no doubt in mind that he will deliver for the club.

When asked about just how heavy a workload Preiss would be called on for Young responded, "look it's not like I'm gonna throw his arm off here. He'll get more than 100 innings probably but we hope to have a strong bullpen top to bottom. Bill Apagar was a great pickup off of waivers, he should be a top reliver for this club and Ronnie Moten may be 38 but he was a good signing too. He's durable, throws strikes and has some good movement. The bullpen will probably be our biggest strength when we are done with free agency and the expansion draft."

[toanstrom]

-Earl "Boss" Gutman: The Charlotte Observer-

This it? This is the great haul our Hogs brought in? There is one impact player in the group, and he's only worth having if the Hogs have a lead. Who pray tell is Jesse Preiss going to be closing games for? Eddie Osuna? He was simply terrible at every level last year! Michael Radford, since when did 36 decent innings at the age of 38 in an otherwise terrible career constitute an ace? There is a reason these guys cost 1.1 million combined. Now I know what the management will say. Our scouts like them, they were the best pitchers who wanted to come to an expansion team. Blah, Blah, Blah. All it would have taken was 16million for 5 years and the Hogs would have had themselves an Ace in Raymond Lawton. Instead Lawton will probably win 20 for Orange County this year. Now I know what Tom Anstrom said, "we didnt want to tie all of our payroll up in one player this early in the game. If we had signed Lawton we wouldnt have been able to bring in some of the other contributors that we did."

Who exactly is he talking about? Ed Stiles? The front office sees a solid leadoff hitter. I see a 32 year old 2B your paying 4.75 million dollars and was so good that he saw barely over a 100 abs the last two years combined. Not a good investment in my book. And his double play partner, Antonio Rivas. Yeah he and Stiles can play defense but they both show how utterly obsessed this organization is with the walk. They over spent to get both of these guys. So what does that leave, a few scrap heap relievers and some 27 year olds that "have a lot of room for improvement" Now I know the scouts have a great reputation but are you really telling me that Jesus Aguliar can be an everyday second baseman? That Alfonso Zargoza will go from bad minor leaguer to good major league starter overnight? We are talking about a pitcher with a 5.17 era at AA last year right? And we all know that David Straley isnt the answer at 1st. He has a .181 lifetime average as a FIRST BASEMAN!!!!! I had high hopes for this organization a month ago but now the free agent period is over and what do we have to show for it? An overpriced middle infield. A closer, which will clearly do this team a lot of good, and a handful of bargain basement projects. Great job so far guys.

This team may be on the way to being the most spectacular disaster since the Zepplin.

[toanstrom]

Here are the players the Hogs drafted in their first amateur draft:

1 (5 overall) LF Fred Bucholz-A superstar in the making. After demolishing his Texas high school league where he showed light-tower power and an incredible batting eye Fred will be part of what should be strong Charlottesville Gentelmen squad. He is the future of this ballclub.

2. LF James Body-Body was the best player avaible and the Hogs dont think he will have any problems making the move to right field because he has a cannon for an arm. He has shown solid power, and good eye and good gap power. The one question what kind of an average he will hit for. Team officals see him as .265 20hr 70bb 15sb player.

3. RP James Evans-The 18yr old Evans tore his high school competition to shreds and the three star middle man will be made the closer for Charlottesville. He has very good stuff with good control and good movement. A ground ball pitcher Evans should be dominant reliver.

4. SP Ramon Mendez- The best starter on the board by far, Carolina loves this righthander. He has a rubber arm and while not blessed with outstanding stuff he has very good control and movement.

5. CF Thomas Vanderford-A deep sleeper Carolina management thinks that with a few brakes Vanderford might make a good leadoff man down the road. He posted a .373 obp for Princeton against very tough competition and is one of the smartest baserunners the organization has ever seen. If he plays the way his numbers in college suggest he can he could be a real steal.

6. MR Garfield Cummings-The last above average reliver on the board Cummings should help provide stabilty to the Gentlemen's bullpen for a while. As a fairly developed college pitcher however he will probably be on his way to the Myrlte Beach Breakers soon.

7. 2B Sixto Escriba- Escriba has amazing gap power, a true 40 double 10 triple talent, that combined with blazing speed and incredible baserunning prowess was enough for the Hogs to overlook his other problems. He could pan out to be a good ballplayer or he could never get above A-ball if he doesnt improve his plate discipline.

8,9,10,11. RPs Manuel Fontanez, David Blanford, Bill VanKirk and Maximo Fortuano are all rubber armed relivers who the Hogs are going to try and turn into starters. If they succeed it will certainly be worth the low picks. Blanford will start the year at Myrtle Beach and is the most advanced of all of the teams draft picks. He is also 23. The 18yr old Fontanez is considered the cream of the crop.

12. SP Hector Guzman. A solid starter who is average across the board the Hogs hope that Guzman develops into a solid #5 starter, even if he doesnt he will be the type of organizational soldier every team needs.

13. RF Francisco Dapena. The last offensive player on the board Dapena can play both corners has a cannon for an arm and good gap power. Other that that offensive is the best word to describe him.

14. RP Vaughn DelCambre has average talents and posted good k/ip numbers in high school. This got him a slot in the last round of the draft.

[Chappy]

Need a logo?

[toanstrom]

that's a great logo, I might use that thanks

[toanstrom]

CATCHERS:

Dustin Boone: (41st pick in the Expansion Draft)
Dustin is a solid hitter who will hit against left handed pitchers and has a strong thowing arm. Even though he hit just .216 last year and has very little power the Hogs think he will make a solid platoon player.

Norris Howard: (7th pick in the Expansion Draft)
Howard will be the starting catcher for the Hogs against righthanded pitchers. A durable catcher and natural leader he has been the backup catcher for the Pittsburgh Vulcans. He had his career year in 1985 hitting .286 with a .347 obp 3 homers and 23 doubles. The Hogs hope he can rebound from his trobles the last two years and that regular playing time will make him a good starter.

Marcos Pardo: (43rd pick in the Expansion Draft)
Pardo is 35 and has only seen 250 at bats in the show but he destroyed Palm Beach (Miami's AAA club) last year hitting 20 homers with a .382 obp in just 242 at bats. The veteran Pardo brings a great clutch hitter and even though an attempted switch to third base failed during Spring Training failed the Hogs would like to use him as a part time catcher, 1st baseman and pinch hitter.

INFIELDERS:

Lee Paulin: (9th pick in the Expansion Draft)
Paulin can play a little third but mostly first where he will start for the Hogs. A major dissapointment for a first round pick he struggled at first for the Emperors last year but the Hogs hope he can emerge as power theat at 31. It may be asking too much of a player with 19 homers in 674 at bats. He also swatted 15 homers in 176 at bats at AAA.

David Straley: (Free Agent Signing)
A 34-year old first baseman with a .181 lifetime batting average Straley will fight for at bats on this team. He is a better defensive 1b than than Paulin and hits righties for a higher average than Paulin which should find him sometime. He raised eyebrows with a .375obp and a .463 slugging percentage at AAA last year.

Todd Anderson: (5th pick in the Expansion Draft)
27 year old Todd cant play 2nd well enough to be a regular there an attempt to switch him to left failed in Spring training. That being said Todd has proven he can hit. Okay he has been unsuccesful in 500 major league at bats but has dominated AAA pitching. The Hogs will look to Todd to be there top pinch hitter and if he can get hot early he might see sometime at first base.

Edward Stiles: (Free Agent Signing)
Stiles Plays a great second base, will walk and steal bases in bunches for the Hogs. Probably their best offensive player he is penciled into the leadoff spot against righties and the four hole against lefties. Stiles could be the real deal, he could also be a big dissapointment.

Antonio Rivas: (Free Agent Signing)
Origionally signed to play short the Hogs have decided to move Rivas to third primarily. A good hitter without much power Rivas has great patience and has some solid doubles totals. He isnt expected to steal as much as he had because while racking up good totals he has always had a poor percentage.

Barry Antonucci: (23rd Pick in the Expansion Draft)
Another guy who hasnt hit at the major league level, Barry is a seems to be a slightly below average hitter who plays a solid short, third and second. It still isnt settled as to whether he or Rivas will play third. The other will play short. Barry will see a lot of time regardless. Right now he is penciled as the starting shortstop against righthanded pitching.

Donald Ullman: (57th pick in the Expansion Draft)
Has virtually no range at short or second but a solid hitter who can really hit lefthanded pitching Ullman will be high on pinch hitters list assuming he doesnt start against lefties.

OUTFIELDERS:

Ron Elamin: (35th pick in the Expansion Draft)
Can play a little bit of left and right and even second in an emergency. The 33yr old has only seen 78 major league at bats but has consistently hit major league pitching with authority. Has good power and average control of the strike zone but may not hit over .220. Also has some speed left in his wheels.

Domingo Lamas: (Signed off waivers)
Yet another player who hasnt hit in the majors but has in the minors. The 34 year Lamas has two major pluses, the ability to steal bases and play a good center field. He is below average with the bat.

Thad Weir: (29th pick in the Expansion Draft)
The everyday centerfielder for Arizona last year Weir wasnt terrible but didnt wow anyone either. Actually he was pretty bad. He's very inconsistent so the Hogs have to hope they can ride his hot streaks. Has 30 steal speed and plays all three outfield positions well. Should start in center.

Brad Loose: (11th pick in the Expansion Draft)
The 26 year old Loose has a grand total of 8abs in 5 games in the bigs. He's also been a consistent .285-300 hitter in the minors and has shown some solid doubles power. Could be a contributor for the Hogs. Needs to walk more.

Jeffery Pennington: (33rd pick in the expansion draft)
The last man added to the roster Pennington isnt expected to provide much. He can play all three outfield positions and has performed well at triple A. The scouts arent wild about him but the GM didnt have many other options. Will have to hit to stay on the roster.

PITCHERS:

Freeman Evers: (3rd in the expansion draft)
The team has high hopes for the 27yr old Evers who will join the rotation right away as the fifh starter. Evers is a total workhorse should provide a lot of quality innings now and in the year to come. Pitched just 17 major league innings last year and looked sharp in all of them winning once and losing once. His minor league numbers were workman like.

George Fulkerson: (15th pick in the expansion draft)
The 32 year old Fulkerson doesnt have much in the way of stuff but he gets the ball over the plate can fool hitters with good movement. He hasnt fooled any major league hitters yet with a 6.68 lifetime era but has pitched well in the minors.

Alen Kerley: (17th pick in the expansion draft)
A solid reliver for the Atlanta Generals the Hogs hope to turn Kerley into a starter. If the move works he will be a lynchpin in this rotation. If not he will still be an anchor in the pen.

Austin Koon: (27th pick in the expansion draft)
Koon has been an average AAA starter and a repectable major league middle reliver for the Kansas City Cavalry. Koon is supposed to fill the swingman role for the Hogs.

Davor Resendiz: (1st pick in the expansion draft)
Davor is the real deal. He went 9-12 with a semi-respectable 4.27 era. The year before he blew away AAA hitters. He is the unqualified ace of this staff and the team is depending on him this year to win at least 12 games if they want to do anything.

Danny Salazar: (Free Agent Signing)
It seems like an age ago that Salazar won 18 games, really it was just 1985. Time has not been kind to the 38 year old and Carolina was able to pick him up for 900 grand. He was ineffective in 37 relief apperences with St. Louis and Cleveland last year. The Hogs hope that a move back to the rotation might revitalize his career. Danny is the only Hog to have appeared in an All-Star game.

Bill Apagar: (Picked up off waivers)
Apagar should be the top set up man this year. He has good stuff and is above average with his control and his pitches movement. The 15th round pick has had to fight for all of the 29.1 innings he's pitched in the show. Just turning 30 the Hogs think he is just hitting his peak and should be an excellent set up man.

Lawrence McKinnon: (13th pick in the Expansion Draft)
Lawrence didnt get the job done last year posting a 5.25 era but his pinpoint control should keep give him a lot of innings. The fact that he's a lefty wont hurt.

Christian Miller: (31st pick in the Expansion Draft)
The 32 year old righty is one of many Hogs who can start in a pinch. He didnt do much to impress at any level last year. The Hogs scouts like his game and he is just one year removed from a 3.54 era with St. Louis and San Diego.

[toanstrom]

-CBL Weekly_

CAROLINA HOGS:

Who would have guessed that the Hogs would be at .500. Granted it's just six games, but surprising nonetheless, particularly when St. Pete is sitting at 1 and 5. The Hogs had a good week in the standings but there was a lot of bad news for the team this week, the still hadnt found a first baseman, they struck out a ton and the pitching staff, depsite pitching well, ran into some serious problems. First the team found out that Danny Salazar just couldnt hack it as a starter anymore, his arm strentgh wouldnt take him deep into a game. They barely got 5 innings out of him and he's been moved back to middle relief. The really damaging blow was Davor Resendez. The GM himself said that Davor was the key to the Hogs season and this week couldnt have gone anyworse for him. First he was just hammered, posting an 8.71 era in two starts. Then he tore his bicep and will be done for the next 7 weeks. Ouch! The Hogs pitching staff is now in big trouble.

That being said it was that battered and bruised staff that led the team to a .500 record this week. Kerley pitched 8 innings giving up just 1 run, 3 hits and a walk. He will take Davor's spot at the top of the staff. Fulkerson surrendered 10 hits but didnt walk anyone and kept the damage to a minimum allowing just one run over 7 innings. Danny Salazar did a great job while he was out there giving up one run over five innings also not allowing a walk. Freeman Evers also looked tough striking out three and allowing a run in 6 innings.

The bullpen really carried the team this week with McKinnon going 2-1 with a save in 4.2 innings. His only run allowed was unearned. While Preiss was 0-1 he was simply awesome. He struck out nine and allowed one run in 6.2 innings. Christian Miller also pitched some great mopup work against Pittsburgh.

The offense has only one homer and is leading the league in k's but there are still some very positive signs. Sitites has been everthing the team hoped he would be hitting .360 with 6 steals and 3 walks. He's scored 6runs added three doubles and a triple to go with 4rbi. Norman Howard has been the big run producer hitting .409 with the team's one homer (a key 3 run blast) and seven rbi. Brad Loose is hitting .391.

Melvin Short summed up his team's week this way, "Look the thing that continues to impress me about this group is that they never give up. There hasnt been one contest we didnt make at least competitive. We've fallen behind early and we've always rallied back. These guys have the hearts of Champions and more wins will follow from that."

[toanstrom]

4/17/88

CBL WEEKLY

Well it's now two weeks into the season and the Hogs are still at .500, a solid 6-6 record. While they trail Cincinnati by 2.5 games that record is nothing to scoff at so how have they done it? Edward Stites has been the big key to the team, he is hitting .274 with a .346obp 2 triples, 2 homers 10runs 11rbi and is 5/7 on steals. While playing in every game. Brad Loose is htting .319 with 8 rbi and Norris Howard is hitting .333 with a .372 obp and 8 rbi as well. The biggest surprise this week has been the emergence of Ron Elamin who is hitting just .227 but is tied for the team lead in homers with 2 and has drawn three walks to give him a very respectable on base percentage of .346. The pitching has stayed solid as well. Forrest Evers was marvelous until the 7th inning of his last start, Fulkerson gave the Hogs another good start and Alen Kerley pitched one of the guttiest games I have ever seen in a win against Baltimore. He had nothing and allowed 7 hits and 4 walks in just 5 innings but worked his way out of three bases loaded jams and held the Cannons to just one run. Christian Miller excelled in middle relief and Jamie Priess is proving to be worth every penny of his large contract. He is now 1-1 with an 0.82 era, a .114 average against and 14 strikeouts (to 3 walks) in 11 innings. Scary good.

TEAM NOTES:
The first base battle still isnt settled as Lee Paulin, Michael Pardo and Dave Straley have all been equally ineffective. Todd Anderson has played himself out of competition. Pennington has been swinging a hot bat off the bench lately and might get some time there. Also, If Straley doesnt find a way to find a role soon he might be headed down to Greenville. The team is thinking about adding another bullpen arm and he is the most expendable bat.

The Hogs still havent seen a left handed starter meaning platoon players Dustin Boone and Domingo Lamas have been netting a lot of splinters on the bench. Boone is 2-4 as a pinch hitter and Lamas is 0-3 but scored a run as a pinch runner.

Carolina is still #1 in strikeouts as an offense. The whiff kings are Stiles with 14, Wier and Rivas with 12 and a special award to Antonucci who whiffed 6 times in just 17 abs (compared with 2 total bases). They are also 20th in runs scored so they must be doing something, if not right than at least okay. The only catagory where they are above average is walks allowed where they are 5th in baseball. It looks like Melvin Young's strategy is working out on the pitchers side of things but the Hogs batters are not drawing nearly the numbers of walks that they hoped. Management had hoped to be at least above average in walks but are in a tie for 29th. Young's conservative strategy can be seen in the fact that they are last in steals. Stiles is 5/7 and Wier is 0/3 no one else has attempted a steal. Once Lamas starts getting some more pt, that could change.

[toanstrom]

-Earl Gutman - The Charlotte Observer-

Six win wins in a row! Wel ol' Earl sure never saw this comin', who'd a thunk the Carolina Hogs would be atop the Confrence in late April. I know, its still early but the club they're a tied with won 104 MORE games than them last year, not to mention the Commishes Cup. Now you gotta give em some credit there. These Hogs can play. There's no doubt about that. And lemme tell ya folks, I know I was kinda tough on Eddie Stites at the start of the season but boy, can he flat out play. He's got four homers, and they've all been when it counted. He also has 11 steals already. He is just amazin'. Allen Kerley is a hell of a pitcher too. You gotta like the fact that the club saw he could be a starter. I mean a 1.44 era! Yikes. Jamie Preiss has been worth every dime of his contract. 0.61. How is that even possible for an era. And the move I was toughest on, the hiring of Melvin Young, he cant be doin a better job. He's beatin teams with a lot more talent than him. The way he handles that bullpen has been terrific so far and he' tryin' to keep all the bats fresh. These Hogs may not stay in the race all year but for now I'm sold. Now the boys in the front office should think about makin some moves. They have plenty of payroll to work with. Let's hope the good times stay and this city goes Hog Wild!

HOGS NOTES:
The Hogs have laid a waiver claim on John Balliergon of St. Petersburg. Says GM Tom Anstrom, "We wanted him bad in the expansion draft but by the time we were ready to pick him, St. Pete had already snagged him. He's a fine third baseman and, assuming we pick him up should be very valuable." The team also signed middle man Gregory Davis to a one year deal and placed him at Greenville. "You can never have enough pitching depth, the injury to Davor taught us that," said Anstrom, Greg has a bulldog mentality and Greg has a good track record in both the majors and the minors. He's the perfect guy for our club if we need to make a move in either the bullpen or the rotation." Also the first base battle seems settled as a recent hot streak has Lee Paulin hitting .327. This, combined with Ullman's fairly succesful move to third, gives the Hogs an essentially settled lineup for the first time.

[toanstrom]

-CBL Weekly-

4/25/1988

CAROLINA HOGS: Well forget about .500 for right now the Hogs, at 12-7 are deadlocked with the Cincinnati Crusaders, last years Cup Champs, for the Central Division lead. Yes it's pennant fever in the Carolina's. Leading the charge has been "Electric Eddie" Stiles, the second baseman and leadoff man for the Hogs. Stiles, who many thought the Hogs spent too much to get in the free agent market is looking like the best bargain in baseball right now. He is hitting .333 with 4 homers 17 rbi and 13 steals. Lee Paulin has been another emerging star for the Hogs. The 6'4 first sacker is hitting .308 after a slow start. Rightfielder Ron Elamin is making the most of limited playing time (he has been bothered by a nagging injury and an inability to hit lefties) to hit .257 (with a .381 obp) 3 homers and 10 rbi in just 35 at bats. He even plays a good rightfield. Brad Loose has driven in 12 and has thrown his hat into the Rookie's Trophy race.

Alan Kerley, George Fulkerson and Freeman Evers have made a solid top 3 in the rotation and the bullpen has been nothing short of fantastic. The Hogs hope they can stay competitive and if their core players keep playing like this they just might.

HOGS NOTES:
The Hogs did claim Third Baseman John Baillaergon off waivers from St. Pete. In the bad news collumn none of the Hogs minor league affiliates has a winning record, but with just castoffs and one years crop of rookies that has to be expected. The teams top two picks are playing up to expectations which is great news. Greenville closer Bill Carriero(39th pick in the expansion draft), a left hander with explosive stuff is, according to the teams top scouts, ready should an opportunity arrive. Given the surprising struggles of Lawrence McKinnon lately (which arent refelcted in his ERA because twice other pitchers have had to clean up his mess), that maybe sooner than the Hogs hope would be the case. Unnamed contacts in the team say that they signed Gregory Davis because the Hogs have been unhappy with Andre Lopez's efforts as the fifth starter.

[toanstrom]

Month one is in the books and there is no question what the biggest surprise is. The Carolina Hogs are atop the Central Confrence by 2.5 games. Here are the batting and pitching numbers for the shocking Hogs at this point.


Carolina Hogs Clubhouse
Sunday, 5/1/1988
Team Stats & Info

Manager: Melvin Short
Record: 18 Wins, 7 Losses, .720 Winning Pct.
Home Record: 11 Wins, 3 Losses
Away Record: 7 Wins, 4 Losses
1 Run Games Record: 5 Wins, 3 Losses
X-Innings Record: 1 Wins, 1 Losses
Record vs LHP: 4 Wins, 1 Losses
Record vs RHP: 14 Wins, 6 Losses
Payroll: $28,500,000 (33rd)
Fan Interest: 65/100 (T-14th)
Batting AVG: .260 (15th)
Homeruns: 21 (T-12th)
Walks: 74 (T-21st)
Stolen Bases: 31 (T-16th)
Runs Scored: 123 (T-6th)

Pitching ERA: 3.15 (4th)
Opponents AVG: .251 (15th)
HRs Allowed: 19 (17th)
Walks Allowed: 55 (1st)
Runs Allowed: 87 (3rd)


Active Roster

Player # Pos Birthday Bats Throws AVG HR RBI SB OPS
CATCHERS
Norris Howard 86 C 5/5/1958 Right Right .328 1 9 1 .834
Dustin Boone 72 C 2/5/1961 Right Right .222 0 3 0 .522
Marcos Pardo 75 C 5/6/1952 Right Right .276 0 4 1 .552
INFIELDER
Edward Stites 96 2B 6/11/1955 Right Right .320 5 19 17 .922
Antonio Rivas 39 SS 11/3/1955 Right Right .298 2 11 1 .839
David Straley 34 1B 3/31/1954 Left Left .133 0 0 0 .387
Lee Paulin 71 1B 11/28/1956 Right Right .304 5 19 0 .861
Todd Anderson 45 2B 5/1/1960 Right Right .125 0 2 0 .317
Donald Ullman 66 SS 7/19/1958 Right Right .242 4 12 0 .806
Barry Antonucci 76 3B 6/1/1959 Right Right .185 0 2 0 .464
OUTFIELDER
Domingo Lamas 34 CF 2/27/1954 Right Right .237 0 3 6 .573
Jeffrey Pennington 49 RF 5/27/1959 Left Left .242 0 3 0 .568
Thad Wier 75 CF 4/5/1959 Left Left .237 0 6 4 .673
Brad Loose 69 RF 9/11/1961 Right Right .291 1 12 0 .737
Ron Elamin 76 LF 11/29/1954 Left Left .250 3 11 1 .934

Player # Role Birthday Bats Throws ERA W L S WHIP
STARTERS
Freeman Evers 51 SP 6/7/1960 Right Right 3.11 3 1 0 1.17
Andre Lopez 99 SP 11/4/1960 Right Right 5.14 1 1 0 1.52
George Fulkerson 80 SP 2/10/1956 Left Left 3.34 2 1 0 1.26
Allen Kerley 3 SP 1/21/1958 Right Right 1.36 3 0 0 1.12
Austin Koon 73 SP 2/5/1961 Both Right 3.86 3 1 0 1.29
RELIEVERS
Arthur Ruddy 85 MR 9/11/1959 Right Right 0.00 1 0 0 0.53
Jesse Preiss 88 CL 9/11/1956 Both Right 0.54 1 1 4 0.72
Danny Salazar 53 MR 10/9/1949 Right Right 5.23 1 0 1 1.35
Lawrence McKinnon 73 MR 3/25/1961 Left Left 1.93 2 1 1 0.86
Christian Miller 16 MR 10/4/1955 Right Right 1.98 1 0 0 0.95

Tired Position Players



Injuries & Disabled List

Player Status Recovery Time Time on DL left Diagnosis
Davor Resendiz OUT 4 weeks 0 days Torn Bicep Muscle

Lineups

LINEUP VS RHP Pos
1) R E. Stites 2B
2) L T. Wier CF
3) R A. Rivas SS
4) R N. Howard C
5) L R. Elamin RF
6) R B. Loose LF
7) R L. Paulin 1B
8) R D. Ullman 3B
9)
LINEUP VS RHP+DH Pos
1) R E. Stites 2B
2) L J. Pennington RF
3) R B. Loose LF
4) R L. Paulin 1B
5) R A. Rivas 3B
6) R T. Anderson DH
7) R D. Ullman SS
8) L T. Wier CF
9) R N. Howard C

LINEUP VS LHP Pos
1) R E. Stites 2B
2) R D. Ullman 3B
3) R A. Rivas SS
4) R L. Paulin 1B
5) R B. Loose LF
6) R D. Lamas CF
7) R D. Boone C
8) L T. Wier RF
9)
LINEUP VS LHP+DH Pos
1) R E. Stites 2B
2) R T. Anderson DH
3) R A. Rivas 3B
4) R L. Paulin 1B
5) R B. Loose LF
6) R D. Ullman SS
7) R D. Lamas CF
8) R D. Boone C
9) L T. Wier RF


Pitching Staff

Starting Rotation
1) R A. Kerley
2) L G. Fulkerson
3) R F. Evers
4) R A. Koon
5) R A. Lopez
Mopup Reliever
1)
2)

Middle Reliever
1) R D. Salazar
2) R A. Ruddy
3)
4)
Setup Reliever
1) R C. Miller
2) L L. McKinnon

Closer
1) R J. Preiss

As one can see Preiss and Kerley have been the keys to the teams excellent pitching staff (4th in ERA) and Stites has been the key cog in the offense.

[toanstrom]

Thomas Vanderford has been asked to write a diary for CBL Digest about his experiences in the minor leagues this year. A Princeton grad who finished up summa cum laude with a degree in Journalism, Vanderford was also the leadoff hitter and centerfielder for the Tigers. He was selected in the 5th round by the Carolina Hogs in this years draft and assigned to their A ball team the Charlottesville Gentlemen.

The first thing that I've learned in A ball is that this isnt the Ivy League. For one thing the crowds arent nearly what I expected, we get fewer people than UVA, and we are in the same town. Also I was thought that the pitchers in the Ivy League were pretty good. I guess I was wrong. I did well in Spring Training, the Hogs coaches had me focusing on my contact hitting and my patience. Its a good thing I did that because I would be in big trouble otherwise. I've really struggled so far, I'm just hitting .200 and I've struck out 28 times compared to 15walks. The only thing that I'm doing well is stealing bases. I have 5 steals in 6 tries. Manager Albert Roy is great, he's really patient. He's left me in the leadoff spot despite my problems. He says things will click but I cant help but feel like I'm really hurting the club. Fred Bucholz, our #3 hitter is the best ballplayer I think I've ever seen. He has 5 homers but only 8rbi, I feel like that's my fault. The rest of the team has been struggling also. James Body, who plays right got off to a hot start but he's down to .253 but he also has 4 homers and 5 steals. He's a great player to. But the outfield is our strength as team, at least thats what the local writers are saying. I think the starters have done a great job, Bill VanKirk, my roomate on the road has a 2.05 era and the other starters are all doing pretty well, except for Hector Guzman. I live with Bill, Hector and Garfield Cummins. We all live real close to the campus which is fun but I know that Garfield is really frustraed with his pitching woes, he had thought he would be in Myrtle Beach by now cause some preseason book said he was the most seasoned of our pitchers. Things havent worked out that way, he's gotten lit up. He'd be the first one to tell you. Hector has been having problems too. He has a 6.16era which bad enough but he's really problems adjusting to the culture shock. Charlottesville sure isnt Venezuela. But I dont worry about Hector, he's a great pitcher and is getting more and more used to the U.S. every day. There's another Venezulean on the team, Miguel Fontanez, who he can talk to about his homeland. He is also is coming out to bars with us and stuff. So hopefully that will help him get acclemated quickly. We're just 9-16 and in 17th place so all the losing is taking its toll and now were getting ready for a midwestern swing. I know I'm not looking forward to playing Topeka. The Trailblazers are in first for a reason. Hopefully things will turn around for us this year. With Coach Roy in charge, I am sure they will.

CAROLINA HOGS MINOR LEAGUE REPORT:
Carolina Minor League Report
Sunday, 5/1/1988
Greenville Spartans AAA Team, Record: 12-13

ROSTER
Player Pos Age Scout Comments
Paul Abell P 28
Gil Antunez C 32
Damian Ayo P 23
John Baillargeon 3B 28
Elisha Benbow P 35
Scott Bishop P 33
Bobby Burgin 3B 30
Bill Carreiro P 27 Should get a shot at the Bigs if there is room on the active roster.
Gregory Davis P 31
Kendall Hagy P 25
Bradley Loar 2B 33
Allen Manfredi 1B 30
Ronnie Moten P 38
Edgardo Osuna P 37
Stevie Quijano RF 27
Michael Radford P 38
Bill Sainz Jr. 1B 28
Boyd Selden C 32
William Stanley 2B 28
Alvaro Tedesco P 23
Anthony Walden P 31
Dennis Zapata SS 33

Batting G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SF SH HP AVG OBP SLG OPS
D. Lamas 3 10 2 0 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 .200 .273 .400 .673
D. Zapata 21 77 15 5 1 4 12 10 13 19 0 0 0 .195 .311 .442 .753
J. Baillargeon 18 63 20 1 0 3 12 8 15 15 0 0 0 .317 .449 .476 .925
B. Selden 23 84 32 5 3 5 20 15 11 11 0 0 1 .381 .458 .690 1.149
S. Quijano 25 98 25 6 0 2 7 13 16 22 0 0 1 .255 .365 .378 .743
B. Burgin 25 98 21 3 0 4 12 8 5 14 0 0 0 .214 .252 .367 .620
A. Manfredi 25 90 12 1 0 3 6 9 13 17 0 0 0 .133 .243 .244 .487
G. Antunez 9 26 5 0 0 1 1 2 3 8 0 0 0 .192 .276 .308 .584
B. Sainz Jr. 24 88 22 8 1 3 9 15 16 26 1 2 0 .250 .364 .466 .830
B. Loar 25 90 23 5 1 2 14 9 11 18 0 0 0 .256 .337 .400 .737
W. Stanley 25 82 9 0 0 4 5 10 8 23 1 1 1 .110 .204 .256 .460

Pitching G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K
G. Davis 2 2 1 1 0 4.05 13.1 15 6 6 6 7
R. Moten 9 0 2 0 0 3.38 16.0 9 6 6 6 9
E. Osuna 4 4 3 1 0 2.06 35.0 31 9 8 16 23
M. Radford 4 4 1 2 0 4.32 25.0 28 13 12 9 17
D. Ayo 4 1 1 0 0 1.86 9.2 6 2 2 3 6
A. Tedesco 2 1 0 0 0 1.69 5.1 3 2 1 1 3
B. Carreiro 9 0 0 1 7 1.04 8.2 9 1 1 5 16
P. Abell 5 5 1 4 0 3.52 38.1 46 19 15 11 22
K. Hagy 3 3 1 1 0 3.46 26.0 18 10 10 11 17
A. Lopez 1 1 0 1 0 12.00 6.0 11 8 8 0 2
E. Benbow 8 0 0 1 0 4.26 6.1 7 3 3 1 5
A. Walden 3 3 2 1 0 3.24 25.0 27 9 9 3 17
S. Bishop 1 1 0 0 0 9.53 5.2 7 6 6 5 3

Myrtle Beach Breakers AA Team, Record: 5-20


Batting G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SF SH HP AVG OBP SLG OPS
J. Aguiar 25 98 27 4 0 4 13 6 10 12 1 0 0 .276 .349 .439 .787

Pitching G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K
A. Zaragoza 5 5 1 3 0 5.15 36.2 46 22 21 18 25
D. Blandford 5 5 0 5 0 5.94 33.1 42 24 22 10 19

Charlottesville Gentlemen A Team, Record: 9-16

Batting G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SF SH HP AVG OBP SLG OPS
F. Bucholz 25 85 23 2 1 5 8 16 24 18 1 0 1 .271 .441 .494 .936
J. Body 25 99 25 4 1 4 18 12 11 31 1 0 0 .253 .333 .434 .768
T. Vanderford 25 90 18 3 0 0 11 11 15 28 0 0 0 .200 .314 .233 .548
S. Escriba 25 103 25 6 1 2 7 12 5 21 0 2 2 .243 .286 .379 .664
F. Dapena 24 91 23 4 1 0 12 6 6 19 1 0 1 .253 .313 .319 .632
G. Gonzalez 24 90 21 2 1 4 15 14 14 24 0 0 0 .233 .337 .411 .748

Pitching G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K
J. Evans 10 0 1 2 0 13.50 6.2 10 11 10 7 3
R. Mendez 5 5 0 3 0 3.89 39.1 39 21 17 24 31
G. Cummings 8 0 0 2 2 8.71 10.1 16 10 10 8 8
M. Fonta񥺼/a> 8 0 0 0 1 3.12 8.2 12 3 3 3 3
B. Vankirk 4 4 2 1 0 2.05 30.2 21 7 7 13 17
M. Fortunato 4 4 2 1 0 3.41 31.2 23 12 12 10 27
H. Guzman 5 5 1 2 0 6.16 30.2 35 21 21 15 26
V. Delcambre 9 0 2 2 0 4.50 8.0 11 4 4 3 5
B. King 4 4 1 2 0 3.54 28.0 28 13 11 10 14

[toanstrom]

This will be first in a series of monthly profiles of stars from each team.

Allen Kerley: Never back down. Never give up.

At this time last year Allen Kerley was bouncing back and forth from being the last man in Atlanta's bullpen and the first man in Nashville's pen. He posted a 1.35 era in just 26.2 innings for the Nashville Cats but was beat up in the bullpen for Atlanta. If he had done that for a few years he could have considered it a success given that no one expected anything out of him as 14th round pick in 1981. But he refused to settle for that.
Now he's leading the Eastern Confrence in ERA. Talk about a turnaround. Kerley is now the best pitcher no one has ever heard of. Although more people are being forced to learn. Allen has had to fight all the way to the top. He only started one game in minor leagues but the Hogs saw a starter in him. A scouting report noted the most important two things about his game, "Kerley throws the ball with confidence, he has good command of the strike zone." Many have cited Kerley's fearlessness and confidence as the main reason for his success. "I spent 2 and half years at Augusta (Atlanta's AA club)," said Kerley, "And while I was there my manager told me something I would never forget, 'Alen, the key to this game is to never be afraid to challenge a hitter with your best stuff. If he hits it you have 8 guys to help you, but if you screw around because your afraid to give him your best stuff, well then those 8 guys cant help you at all,' ever since that I have let the eight guys behind me help me." Kerley has only walked 11 men in 33 innings this year and some feel that his control is even better than that. The other thing that has helped Allen this year is working with pitching coach Donte McFall. "Look Donte is a legend for a reason, and I'll listen to him."

Manager Melvin Short has only great things to say about Kerley, "He has been so amazing for us. To see a guy with his kind of heart, well it just is an inspiration to the rest of this team. There is no question that he is one of the leaders on this team." Short says that the game that show Kerley's talent the most was actually his worst start of the season. On April 16th Allen took the mound against Baltimore. He had nothing that day and he knew it. Baltimore lashed out for 7 hits and 4 walks in just 5 innings. Going against one of the best pitchers in baseball, Baltimore's Michael Brindley, Kerley refused to give into Baltimore. He escaped three bases loaded jams and allowed only one run. Carolina won the game. "To me that just sums up everything Allen is," said Short, "He refuses to be beaten." The rest of the team has adopted that attitude and that is why we are where we are in the standings.

#3 Allen Kerley, Starting Pitcher, 30 yrs, Carolina Hogs
Sunday, 5/1/1988
Name : Allen Kerley
Nickname :
Birthday :1/21/1958
Age : 30
Born in :USA
Height :6"1
Weight :195

Position :Starting Pitcher
Bats : R
Throws :R

Pitching Ratings


Pitching Stuff Movement Control Velocity
Overall 52 100 44 86-89 Mph
Versus LHB 51 95 33
Versus RHB 52 100 54
Talent 6 10 8

Pitching Ratings
Endurance :
Groundball Pct. :
Holding Runners :

47
35
2
Pitches:
Fastball
Changeup
Sinker
Slider


Batting Ratings


Batting Contact Gap Power Discipline/Eye Avoid K's
Overall 1 25 3 19 7
Versus LHP 1 25 3 19 7
Versus RHP 1 25 3 19 7
Talent 1 3 1 2 1

Running & Bunting Ratings
Running Speed :
Stealing Ability :
Sacrifice Bunt :
Bunt for Hit :
Hitter Type :

85
47
1
1
Spray Hitter
Fielding Ratings
P : 82 (Range), .961 (Fielding Pct.)
Catcher Arm : 1
Outfield Arm : 11


Game Log, Last 10 Games


Date Opp. Result Start IP H R ER BB K Dec
4/6 DET L 1-2 * 8 3 1 1 1 4
4/11 @CLE W 13-7 * 5 6 2 2 1 3 W
4/16 BAL W 3-1 * 5 7 1 1 4 5
4/22 @IND W 4-2 * 7 3 0 0 2 6 W PoG
4/27 STP W 4-2 * 8 7 2 1 3 4 W PoG

Pitching Stats 1988


Overall G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG CG% SHO QS QS%
5 5 3 0 0 1.36 33.0 26 6 5 11 22 0 .0 0 3 60.0

Overall SVO BS SV% RA GF R/9 H/9 K/9 BB/9 RL RLS RLS% IR IRS IRS% ERC
0 0 .0 0 0 10.9 7.1 6.0 3.0 0 0 .0 0 0 .0 2.32

AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SF SH HP AVG OBP SLG OPS
vs. LHB 54 10 1 0 0 2 2 7 14 0 0 1 .185 .290 .204 .494
vs. RHB 64 16 2 1 0 4 4 4 8 0 0 2 .250 .301 .313 .614

G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K
Home 3 3 1 0 0 1.29 21.0 17 4 3 8 13
Road 2 2 2 0 0 1.50 12.0 9 2 2 3 9
This Week 1 1 1 0 0 1.13 8.0 7 2 1 3 4
Last Week 1 1 1 0 0 0.00 7.0 3 0 0 2 6

Month G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K
March/April 5 5 3 0 0 1.36 33.0 26 6 5 11 22
May 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 0 0 0

Career Pitching Stats


Year G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO WHIP Teams
1985 4 0 0 0 0 3.00 3.0 4 1 1 1 2 0 0 1.67 ATL
1986 8 0 1 0 1 11.57 9.1 11 12 12 6 6 0 0 1.82 ATL
1987 42 0 2 2 0 4.78 49.0 55 28 26 21 27 0 0 1.55 ATL
1988 5 5 3 0 0 1.36 33.0 26 6 5 11 22 0 0 1.12 ATL CAR
Total 59 5 6 2 1 4.20 94.1 96 47 44 39 57 0 0 1.43

Career Minor League Pitching Stats


Year G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
1981, A 45 0 6 3 1 4.12 78.2 69 39 36 44 60 0 0
1982, A 41 0 1 2 4 3.35 45.2 42 18 17 24 42 0 0
1983, AA 44 0 6 2 3 4.19 62.1 58 30 29 36 46 0 0
1984, AA 28 0 3 3 0 3.62 37.1 35 18 15 27 23 0 0
1985, AA 8 1 2 1 2 4.09 11.0 9 5 5 3 9 0 0
1985, AAA 21 0 1 3 0 2.84 25.1 20 8 8 19 22 0 0
1986, AAA 30 0 2 0 2 6.10 38.1 38 27 26 31 36 0 0
1987, AAA 27 0 2 1 2 1.35 26.2 11 4 4 16 25 0 0

Career Postseason Pitching Stats


Year G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Career Batting Stats


Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Teams
1985 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 ATL
1986 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 ATL
1987 42 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 .500 1.000 ATL
1988 5 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 ATL CAR
Total 59 12 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 .083 .083 .083 .167

Fielding Stats 1988


Position G GS PO A DP TC E PCT INN RANGE PB RSTA RTO RTO%
Pitcher 5 5 0 5 0 5 0 1.000 33.0 1.36

Player History


Drafted in 14th round, 437th overall pick, by Atlanta in 1981...
Earned first career win on 9/1/1986...
Had first career hit on 6/15/1987, off David Johnson (CLE)...
Selected by Carolina with the 17th pick of the Expansion Draft 3/2/1988...

[toanstrom]

By the way does anyone know how to get the hometown generator to work. I downloaded it but I just get an excel file. Any help with that would be great. I hope to add a little more flavor to the league thanks.

[toanstrom]

-CBL Weekly- 5/2/1988

The Hogs continue to amaze. They now sit at 19-7 having won 8 in a row. The are two and a half games up on the defending champion Cincinnati Crusaders and today they brought home the first piece of hardware in franchise history. Andre Lopez, who was on the outs just a week ago turned in an amazing week to win player of the week honors. He went 2-0 with a 1.59 era striking out 14 in 17 innings. Included in their is a complete game shutout of St. Pete and an 8k performance against Buffalo. Lopez has given the Hogs yet another strong starter to go with Kerley, Fulkerson and Evers making the Hogs pitching staff one of the best in the buisness. Even Koon has pitched well for the staff making them strong top to bottom. The bullpen has been lights out as Jamie Priess continues to amaze, he is now at 1-1 with 5 saves an 0.59 era and 24ks in 17innings. These great performances have made the Hogs pitching amoung the best in the lead.

HOGS NOTES:
Antonio Rivas has been red hot latley hitting .471 over the last 5 games. He had 2 triples in his last game.

Lee Paulin, who was red hot recently has now cooled off hitting just a buck-fifty eight in his last five contests.

Alfonso Zaragosa who was signed as a minor league free agent was demoted from AA to A. Zaragosa is now 27 and if he doesnt display the control that Carolina thinks he has he might be done.

[toanstrom]

-CBL Weekly 5/9/88-

CAROLINA HOGS: (23-9 1st in Power Rankings)

Well were now almost to mid-May and the expansion Hogs are still in first place both in their division and in our Power Rankings. Hogs manager Melvin Young is doing a good job with team as he has them playing 2 games above their Pythagorean record. They have dropped to 5th in ERA but they are now 6th in runs scored. This has been a mixed week for the Hogs. They did take two of three from Cincinnati to extend their lead to 3.5 games. On the downside a series of minor injuries have caused major problems for the pitching staff. Both Allen Kerley and Austin Koon went down with injuries for a week. When you factor in the fact that the other pitchers weren’t nearly as good this week, it did cause some problems for the Hogs. But Christian Miller filled in valiantly for Kerley going 6 scoreless innings in his first start. The big problem with the pitching this week was that Jamie Preiss became mortal for the first time giving up 7 hits and 6 runs (only one earned thanks to Brad Loose) in his last three innings. Also top right handed setup man Arthur Ruddy got pounded by Buffalo after notching saves in two of the Cincinnati games. The big star on offense was Antonio Rivas who is more than earning his team high contract by hitting .409 with a .480 obp, 3 doubles and triple last week. He is now hitting .481 in May.

HOGS NOTES:
The Hogs are still considering adding another pitcher, but Brad Loose’s costly error in their last contest against Buffalo (which led to 6 unearned runs in the eighth) have them thinking about hanging on to David Straley, despite the fact that he has yet to earn an RBI. The Hogs have twice placed Straley on waivers to see if they can send him to Greenville and both times he was claimed by St. Pete. So far he has been pulled back. The most likely pitcher to earn a call-up is left handed closer Bill Carreiro who is leading AAA with 10 saves for Greenville.

[toanstrom]

-Charlotte Observer Earl Gutman-5/12/1988

Well Hogs fans were about to find out if our “Ace” Allen Kerney has what it takes to really be called an Ace in this league. He’s coming back from a strained elbow ligament today and has the hopes of this team on his arm. The job of the Ace is to stop losing streaks and that is what Allen is going to have to do for the first time tonight. The Hogs have now lost 4 straight and are only 1.5 games up on Cincinnati for the Conference lead. The last two ballgames have been particularly embarrassing as Boston has whipped up on the Hogs 7-0 and 10-0. The Minutemen are going for the sweep tonight but I think Allen has what it takes to stop him. He is a real fighter and should keep the Boston bats off-balance with his incredible movement. If he does that, regardless of whether or not the Hogs bats wake up I am ready to crown him a real bonafide Ace.