Spirit of '49: A's pitching is killer...

so49as · 08-03-2003, 09:52 PM

Rain poured steadily down at Shibe Park. Philadelphia Athletics manager Eddie Sawyer stood under the canopy of the American League team’s dugout staring at the soggy field. As if to mirror the past two weeks, a small hole broke open above his head, rain soaking Sawyer.

He sighed and walked away from that spot. He picked up his glove used in working out the infielders and headed up the gangway to the showers. “We needed this workout. We’re slipping.”

Slipping is too true. The Athletics slipped from a 3 game lead over the Cleveland Indians to staring up at them, one game back. Cleveland has won 8 of their last 10, while the A’s have lost 7 of theirs.

“Really, our biggest problem is pitching. Newk isn’t ready to come back yet, and Al is hurt more than we originally thought. It’s a killer.” Al Aber was injured on August 17th, but stayed in the injured rotation. “He’s going on the DL. We thought he’d worked it out, that the arm wasn’t that sore, but it continues to bother him.”

Al (a left-handed knuckleballer…) started two more games, 16 innings, but gave up 26 hits, and 14 runs.

Don Newcombe might be back this week, but it looks doubtful. He’s been out since the 6th of August; he should give the team a needed boost to the rotation.

The A’s pitching woes began when on June 23rd, lead starting pitcher Fred Hutchinson tore his back muscle and was lost for the season. On the bright-side, he went 5-0 with 3 shutouts that month, and won the Pitcher of the Month Award.

As a matter of some debate, the A’s also lost their closer, Bubba Harris. The debate rages as to where he can help the team most, in the pen, or on the DL. Harris has 34 saves, 2nd in the AL, but has an ERA of 6.06, with a record of 4-8.

Sawyer shakes his head. “We just don’t know what’s up with Bubs this year. He’s been generally solid for the last 7 years, but he seems out of focus this year.”

The A’s have one of the top staffs in both Leagues. They’re first in ERA, HR Allowed, and Runs Allowed, and third in Opponents Avg.

“Hopefully, we’ll get Newk back and keep up; get back into first place, and beat the NL.”

Their pitching needs to excel, since on the offensive side of the ball, the A’s have hit the fewest HR in the league, and are midway in the league in runs scored. Lone power hitting sophomore Hank Aaron is starring for the team. Hank is hitting .278 with 22 HR, and 100 RBI. Around the infield: Ferris Fain (1B, .308, 8 HR, 60 RBI); Nellie Fox (2B, .325, 2, 36); Alex Grammas (SS, .308, 2, 50, 30 SB); and Joe Kirrene (3B, .262, 2, 44) are playing admirably. Kirrene has only 6 errors at the hot corner. Elmer Valo (.298, 4, 54) and Bill Bruton (.255, 2, 35, 10 SB) round out the outfield.

Sawyer smiles, “We knew this team is capable of pulling together and pulling it out. We’re very happy with our team make-up.”

The next two weeks will tell the Athletics future. The pitching will rise, or the team will fall.

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The Spirit of '49 is an historical league run by Nathan Corzine. Check it out at www.so49.com

Driver 8 · 08-03-2003, 09:56 PM

Very nice post. Too bad it's your first...That's a lot to live up to!

The Professor · 08-03-2003, 10:17 PM

Great post! The A's have really come a long way since 1949 under good ownership...they should be there through the final day of 1955...

Newk's ailing back is a major problem, but if he can return down the stretch, the league's best pitching might just be enough. How fortunate that Warren Spahn has rediscovered his 1948 Cy Young form this year, coming over from the Braves to replace Hutch...

simboy · 08-04-2003, 11:53 PM

Great article, though losing Hutchinson is going to hurt.

Awesome league!!

08-03-2003, 09:52 PM	#1
so49as Major Leagues Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 325	Spirit of '49: A's pitching is killer... Rain poured steadily down at Shibe Park. Philadelphia Athletics manager Eddie Sawyer stood under the canopy of the American League team’s dugout staring at the soggy field. As if to mirror the past two weeks, a small hole broke open above his head, rain soaking Sawyer. He sighed and walked away from that spot. He picked up his glove used in working out the infielders and headed up the gangway to the showers. “We needed this workout. We’re slipping.” Slipping is too true. The Athletics slipped from a 3 game lead over the Cleveland Indians to staring up at them, one game back. Cleveland has won 8 of their last 10, while the A’s have lost 7 of theirs. “Really, our biggest problem is pitching. Newk isn’t ready to come back yet, and Al is hurt more than we originally thought. It’s a killer.” Al Aber was injured on August 17th, but stayed in the injured rotation. “He’s going on the DL. We thought he’d worked it out, that the arm wasn’t that sore, but it continues to bother him.” Al (a left-handed knuckleballer…) started two more games, 16 innings, but gave up 26 hits, and 14 runs. Don Newcombe might be back this week, but it looks doubtful. He’s been out since the 6th of August; he should give the team a needed boost to the rotation. The A’s pitching woes began when on June 23rd, lead starting pitcher Fred Hutchinson tore his back muscle and was lost for the season. On the bright-side, he went 5-0 with 3 shutouts that month, and won the Pitcher of the Month Award. As a matter of some debate, the A’s also lost their closer, Bubba Harris. The debate rages as to where he can help the team most, in the pen, or on the DL. Harris has 34 saves, 2nd in the AL, but has an ERA of 6.06, with a record of 4-8. Sawyer shakes his head. “We just don’t know what’s up with Bubs this year. He’s been generally solid for the last 7 years, but he seems out of focus this year.” The A’s have one of the top staffs in both Leagues. They’re first in ERA, HR Allowed, and Runs Allowed, and third in Opponents Avg. “Hopefully, we’ll get Newk back and keep up; get back into first place, and beat the NL.” Their pitching needs to excel, since on the offensive side of the ball, the A’s have hit the fewest HR in the league, and are midway in the league in runs scored. Lone power hitting sophomore Hank Aaron is starring for the team. Hank is hitting .278 with 22 HR, and 100 RBI. Around the infield: Ferris Fain (1B, .308, 8 HR, 60 RBI); Nellie Fox (2B, .325, 2, 36); Alex Grammas (SS, .308, 2, 50, 30 SB); and Joe Kirrene (3B, .262, 2, 44) are playing admirably. Kirrene has only 6 errors at the hot corner. Elmer Valo (.298, 4, 54) and Bill Bruton (.255, 2, 35, 10 SB) round out the outfield. Sawyer smiles, “We knew this team is capable of pulling together and pulling it out. We’re very happy with our team make-up.” The next two weeks will tell the Athletics future. The pitching will rise, or the team will fall. ------------------------------------------- The Spirit of '49 is an historical league run by Nathan Corzine. Check it out at www.so49.com

08-03-2003, 10:17 PM	#3
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Great post! The A's have really come a long way since 1949 under good ownership...they should be there through the final day of 1955... Newk's ailing back is a major problem, but if he can return down the stretch, the league's best pitching might just be enough. How fortunate that Warren Spahn has rediscovered his 1948 Cy Young form this year, coming over from the Braves to replace Hutch... __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

08-04-2003, 11:53 PM	#4
simboy Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 36	Great article, though losing Hutchinson is going to hurt. Awesome league!! __________________ Free Agent

08-03-2003, 09:56 PM	#2
Driver 8 Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: gurnee, il Posts: 397	Very nice post. Too bad it's your first...That's a lot to live up to!