Notes from the TWB Detroit Tigers Manager

[m0ng00se]

Shame on me, I forgot last years awards.

All the hype pretty much when Ray Kress' way. He got the Triple Crown and Battter of the Year. Triple Crown is hard enough, but it doesn't describe his full accomplishment last year as he also lead the league in Runs and a couple other categories and broke a couple league and team records in the process. He also finished the year with 0 errors in 147 games in LF. He's still only committed one error total in the last 5 years.

We got no Gold Gloves this time around. As usual, Ray Kress got passed over for someone with more put out numbers. Dave Castaneda had his streak ended at 3 ('47-'49) but promises to be healthy and fight to win it back this next year. As much as we love Dave's glove, he also broke .300 for the first time in his career and blew away his best Runs (105) and Walks (72) numbers. He spent most of the year hitting lead off and will likely do so again this year.

EDIT: Then again, I think Kitterman is actually a better lead off option. He's a slightly better base stealer and is better and hitting to the gaps, and currently is a better OBP guy. Meanwhile Castendada is a better sac bunter. Kitterman may move back to leadoff, but that all depends on how things shake out in spring training. Castenda is getting better each year at drawing walks. If his patience at the plate continues to get better, he may become the better OBP guy. Either way, Castaneda will be hitting in front of Kress and the other sluggers.

Dennis Kitterman deserves recognition for his break out season as he lead the league in hits and had a .360 average for the year. He finished 2nd in the AL in average just behind his teammate Ray Kress.

[Matt from TN]

Kress was off the charts... Triple Crown, BOY, new AL record for HRs and Runs... New Tigers record for RBI and Walks!!

[m0ng00se]

Assuming he stays healthy, it will be cool to see him hit the career leaderboard in HRs next year and it will be fun to watch him climb the chart in years to come. I see him #2 someday almost for sure, but #1 seems like a tough spot to crack. He would need to average around 38 a year all the way thru age 39 to break the record. That's doable but would take some incredible durability to achive. Are there going to be any more deadball era's or stadium mods that will slow him down any I wonder?

He's also only .001 away from the AVG career leader board. Given his current 10con 10eye ratings, he my make it on there next year and stay put for a while.

I'm such a Kress fanatic I actually named one of my WOW characters after him.

[jdw]

I don't think I would tinker with the #1 and #2 spots. Castaneda seemed comfortable there, and took another across the board step up - career high BA, 2B, BB, OBP, SLG and Runs. He's a step away from being a .400+ OBP man.

Kitt slid into the #2 spot and had the finest year of his career. He gets on more than Dave (at least until Dave kick ups his BB to his potential), but he also hits more HR and 2B. There's more value in his midrange EBH talent coming up after Dave rather than the pitcher.

Castaneda, Kitt and Kress all responded with career years with that 1-2-3. While Kitt isn't likely to top his 1950 season, Castaneda and Kress have more potential in them. In the case of Kress, this is pretty fightening. We forget that he's a *10* Contact now. Kitterman hit .360 while an 8 contact last season. Kress actually has the ability to challenge .400.

BTW - did anyone notice that Kress stole 17 bases in 18 attempts last year? He's not fast at all. But he is a smart baserunner. I wouldn't crank him up high in attempts. But he's now a 58/18 stealer in his career, on top of everything else he does.

He's 20 HR away from entering the TWB Career Top 25 in HRs. After that, he scales the charts fast.


John

[jdw]

> Assuming he stays healthy, it will
> be cool to see him hit the career
> leaderboard in HRs next year and
> it will be fun to watch him climb the
> chart in years to come. I see him
> #2 someday almost for sure, but
> #1 seems like a tough spot to crack.
> He would need to average around 38
> a year all the way thru age 39 to
> break the record. That's doable but
> would take some incredible durability
> to achive. Are there going to be
> any more deadball era's or stadium
> mods that will slow him down any I
> wonder?

The park (Tiger Stadium) helps him a great deal. There are no changes to that park in the works. I don't think Goose will ever trade Kress.

All of his career will take place prior to the 60s taking offense into the tank.

At the same age, Oscar had 174 HR. Kress has 217, and is 43 HR ahead of his pace.

We are entering a period where Oscar hit 47-59-53-59 HRs, 218 in four years. Kress has yet to reach his max of 10 Power - he's still stuck on 9. He could hit 45 HR a year through this stretch and still come out ahead 397-392. I personally think (barring injury) that Kress will hit *more* than 180 HR in the nest four years.


Oscar then dropped down to 33-35-19-17 before getting a War bump of 23-26 before crapping out at 12. The current version of OOTP seems to be a lot more friendly to hitters in the 35 to 36 range than older versions. Rhino has set career highs in the past few seasons despite aging.

Where Kress may have a problem is with those 61 HR that Oscar hit at the age of 39-41. The 23-26 are almost certainly the record for that age range, and while the current OOTP lets people keep power a long time, I don't know if we've run into another 39-40 year old holding on that long. Moe fell off. Ditty is slowing down right now, and certainly isn't going to hit 61 at that age. Rauch will be one to watch. Lonny isn't a good comp because of the park, but probably would be worth watching.

So I think Kress will need to stay *well* ahead of Oscar prior to the age of 37.

I'm pretty confident he will get to 500 HR. Whether he gets to Oscar depends on him busting a few 50 HR seasons in the next four years... and staying healthy.



> He's also only .001 away from the AVG
> career leader board. Given his current
> 10con 10eye ratings, he my make it on
> there next year and stay put for a while.

He might make it within the first month if he has one of those monster months of his:

"Won BOM award on 9/1/1950, hitting .388 with 11 HR, 27 RBI..."




> I'm such a Kress fanatic I actually
> named one of my WOW characters
> after him.




John

[m0ng00se]

A most excellent anaylsis as always. Thanks.

[jdw]

> A most excellent anaylsis as
> always. Thanks.

If the Tigers don't get off to a strong 1948-style start, it might be the last "nice" thing from the Press aimed at the Tigers. Instead, the calls for the heads of Arden Killbreath and a certain GM my start going up! :P

Of course you know how I feel on this. I'm a Tigers Fan in love with the massive base of talent on this team. I would hate to see it turn into the 80s Tigers or the 90s M's - teams with massive talent bases that missed their chance at being a mini-dynasty.


John

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by jdw

I would hate to see it turn into the 80s Tigers or the 90s M's - teams with massive talent bases that missed their chance at being a mini-dynasty.

I wonder if any team has ever wasted a decade of chances in TWB? Oh yeah, the late-20s, early 30s Tigers! The fans don't want to see THAT again!

[jdw]

> I wonder if any team has ever wasted
> a decade of chances in TWB? Oh yeah,
> the late-20s, early 30s Tigers!

That team at least can try to roll out the excuse of running into the a mini-dynasty (the A's) and a major dynasty (the Yanks). What is amazing, though, is how utterly a failure that team was:

1923 - AL Runner Up
1924 - AL Runner Up
1928 - AL Champs

And that's *it*. It wasn't just that the team didn't win Titles. They weren't even runner ups after 1928 (all the way until 1945).

Since Kress' first full season, they've gone 2-3-2-1-3-2. Since their 102 win season, they've won 87 and 85, getting blow out by the Red Sox, then falling just short of the White Sox in a flattened out top of the table last season.


> The fans don't want to see THAT again!

I live in fear of it.

I think they are just *one* piece away from again being a 102 win team, blowing the doors off the AL, setting themselves up for the next few years, and forcing any opponent who hope to challenge them from 1951-54 to seriously rethink how to challenge them.

Of course I could be Peter Gammons here arm chair GMing.


John

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by jdw

I think they are just *one* piece away from again being a 102 win team, blowing the doors off the AL, setting themselves up for the next few years, and forcing any opponent who hope to challenge them from 1951-54 to seriously rethink how to challenge them.

Of course I could be Peter Gammons here arm chair GMing.

I completely agree. And honestly, I've been a TWB Tigers fan since the 20s. That team had some god-awful pitching though. Floyd Bettles was IT. With Andrew, Ulrich and Wolfe, this team has incredible potential. Not winning a pennant this year would be unbearable and almost certainly cost Killbreath his job. And let's not forget that Arden pitched for that failed would-be dynasty from 1928-33.

Teams like the Yanks, A's and Indians are slowing turning into great teams. I'd hate to be a fan of the White Sox, Red Sox, Browns or Senators, because it looks like DET, NYA, PHA and CLE could dominate the AL for 15 years.

[m0ng00se]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

I wonder if any team has ever wasted a decade of chances in TWB? Oh yeah, the late-20s, early 30s Tigers! The fans don't want to see THAT again!

No pressure or anything. LOL


1951, FIRST 2 WEEKS

4/4 DET @ WSH: WIN 4-0 Hal Andrew (1-0, 0.00) starts off the season with a 6 hit shutout CG win for POG. Van Melbourn (0-1, 3.24) gave up 4R in 8.1IP for the loss. Top WSH batter was SS Tuck Hugley (2 for 4). For us, Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1R, 1DBL. Carl Sandoz went 2 for 3, 2R, 1BB). John Dirtbag Degal went 1 for 2, 1RBI.

4/5 DET @ WSH: WIN 5-3 Bud Ulrich (1-0, 1.17) gave up 3R (1ER) in 7.2IP for the win. Lloyd Wyman pitched a scoreless 9th for the save. Chris Frays (0-1, 5.14) gave up 5R (4ER) in 7IP for the loss. Top WSH hitter was CF Delmar Yordy who went 2 for 4, 1R, 1DBL. For us, Dave Castaneda went 3 for 5, 2R for POG. Bud Ulrich hit a 2R HR on a 1 for 4 day.

4/6 DET @ WSH: WIN 2-0 Roy Wolfe (1-0, 0.00) got the win and POG for pitching 8 shutout innings. Oswald Adkins struck out a batter and then Lloyd Wyman came in and finished out the inning for his 2nd save. Eric Slater (0-1, 2.57) got the loss giving up 2R in 7IP. Top WSH batters were LF Tom Foraker (2 for 4) & 3B Jim Dunkel (2 for 4, 1 TRPL). For us, Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1HR. Ray Kress finally realized the season has started and went 3 for 4.

4/7 day off

4/8 CLE @ DET: loss 1-2 Jack Boe (0-1, 2.00) gave up no walks and allowed only 3 hits and 2R in this CG loss. Lex Tjeenk-Willink (1-0, 0.00) pitched even better giving up 0R in 8IP for the win and POG. This pitchers duel was especially impressive since rain delays were a factor. Top CLE batter was 1B Albert Hippard who went 2 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR. For us, Jack Boe went 1 for 3, 1DBL. Ray Kress went 1 for 3, 1BB.

4/9 CLE @ DET: WIN 4-3 Hal Andrew (2-0, 1.59) gave up 3R in 8IP for the win & POG. Don Vonkitzing pitched a hitless 9th for a save. George Kauffman (1-1, 3.52) gave up 4R in 7.1IP. Top CLE hitters were LF Al Jackson (1 for 2, 1R, 1RBI, 2BB, 1SB) & C Alton Kee (2 for 4, 2RBI). For us, Dave Castaneda went 1 for 2, 2R, 2BB. Ray Kress went 2 for 4, 1RBI.

4/10 CLE @ DET: loss 4-9 Bud Ulrich (1-1, 2.30) gave up 5R (3ER) in 8IP for the loss. Sam Cole got pulled after 7 giving up 4R. The win went to John Ashley (1-0, 3.00) for pitching a scoreless 8th inning. Top CLE hitters were LF Al Jackson (3 for 5, 2R, 3RBI, POG) & 3B Emerson Meggs (3 for 4, 1R). For us, Luther Ormiston went 1 for 3, 2R, 2RBI, 1BB, 1HR. Matt Perly went 2 for 4, 1R. Isaac Mitchell went 2 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL.

4/11 day off

4/12 CHI @ DET: WIN 5-2 Roy Wolfe (2-0, 1.13) got the win and POG again, this time giving up 3 hits, 2R in 8IP. Oswald Adkins pitched a scoreless 9th for his first ML save. Top hitters of the say were Matt Perly (2 for 3, 2R, 2RBI, 1HR) & Rollin Fish (2 for 4).

4/13 CHI @ DET: loss 2-5 Jack Boe (0-2, 3.45) gave up 5R (4ER) in 6.2IP for the loss. Jake Craze (1-1, 2.65) only gave up 2R in 8IP for the win and POG. Top WSH hitters were SP Jake Craze (2 for 4, 1R, 4RBI) & RF Chester Munch (2 for 4). For us, Dave Castaneda went 3 for 5 & Pete Short went 2 for 4.

4/14 CHI @ DET: WIN 4-1 Hal Andrew (3-0, 1.38) endured another rain delay for a CG win giving up only 6H and 1R. Gene Masarech (0-2, 3.98) gave up 4R in 6.2IP for the loss. Top Sox hitter was CF Homer Jewell (2 for 4, 1R). For us, Dave Castaneda went 1 for 2, 1RBI, 2BB.

4/15 DET @ NYY: loss 4-9 Bud Ulrich (1-2, 6.61) had a terrible game. He was pulled with one out remaining in the 1st for giving up 5H, 6BB, 8R. Eric Williams (2-0, 2.78) got the CG win giving up 4R. Top Yank hitter was LF Turk Baker 2 for 3, 1R, 3RBI, 2BB, POG. For us, Luther Ormiston went 2 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 4, 1RBI, 1BB, 1DBL. Matt Perly went 2 for 4, 1R.


STANDINGS
6-4, 3rd in the AL, 1 game back.

BAD NEWS
-Our offense is still asleep. Dave Castaneda and Rollin Fish are the only guys that are hitting as they should be. Bud Ulrich is kicking Ray Kress' tail in HR and RBI.
-Jim Meacham hasn't gotten much of an opportunity to show off his big swing. Going to have a talk with Killbreath about using him more in PH ops. It is a risk using your only backup catcher in PH duty, but I would hate to see his skills take a dip due to lack of at bats. He will get in more games as the season wears on Degal's knees, but in the mean time some PH duty would be a good thing.

GOOD NEWS
-Our pitching has been solid. Bud Ulrich's numbers have been seriously besmirched by that awful game on the 15th. But otherwise, our starting pitching has been what has kept us in games. Andrew, Wolfe, & Boe all have a WHIP of 1.02 or less. Andrew and Wolfe are #1 & #2 in both wins and ERA.
-Adkins has looked sharp so far the #2 setup spot and has been called on even more than our #1 setup guy Vonkitzing.


Some spring training and misc development observations
-John Dirtbag Degal looked a little better in spring training this year especially against LH pitching. He's off to a slow start this year, but I think he'll continue to progress.
-Jack Boe didn't really get any good talent bumps as I had hoped for. He's still only 26 and already looks good against righties, but still makes me nervous when I see a LH slugger come to the plate. He should hope I don't ever trade him to another AL team where he'd have to face Kress on a regular basis.
-Don Vonkitzing looked decent in spring training and appears to be throwing that fastball a little harder.
-Chris Delp has most of the skills that would get him into our bull pen right now if it weren't for his lack of control, but the 18 yo showed some improvement there and will hopefully continue to develop. His stay in Williamsport-AA maybe a short one as his coach is telling me he's ready for Toledo-AAA. So far he's 2 for 2 in save ops with a 0.00 ERA. Nice.
-Williamsport-AA manager has finally stopped calling me stupid for having Gin Allen on his roster. Gin is hitting .353 so far. I really hope to see our young OF step up and claim a AAA roster spot by the end of the year as we really need an OF prospect to step up as Sandoz is clearly no longer the answer in RF. Mitchell will be getting more and more at bats in RF especially against lefties. But I don't like to platoon positions so I will need to look for a more permanent solution at some point in the near future.
-Dusty Keiper is showing more power and is also off to a hot start. He's forcing me to consider demoting Iggy Chenault as Iggy just doesn't look like the same player that was on our active roster a couple years ago. Then again, I suppose Iggy could stay in AAA and play OF. But he's a terrible OF defensively as 3B is clearly his only comfortable position.

[m0ng00se]

1951, 4/16 THRU 4/30

4/16 DET @ NYY: loss 3-4 Roy Wolfe (2-1, 2.22) gave up 4R in a CG loss. John Skoropat gave up 2R in 7IP, but the win went to their closer Daniel Earley (1-0, 3.00) who threw for the last out in the top of the 9th. Top Yank batters were C Gus Tioni (2 for 4, 1RBI, 2DBL) & 3B Tim Dilworth (2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1HR, POG). For us, Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1RBI, Carl Sandoz went 2 for 3, 1RBI. Matt Perly hit a PH solo HR that had given us a one run 8th inning lead.

4/17 DET @ NYY: loss 4-6 Jack Boe gave up 4R in 7.1IP, but the loss went to Lloyd Wyman (0-1, 12.27) for blowing a hold op giving up 2R in the final 1.1IP. Maury Baum gave up 4R in 6.2IP, but the win once again went to their closer Daniel Earley (2-0, 1.80) for pitching a scoreless final 2 innings. Top Yank batter was 3B Tim Dilworth who went 2 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1BB. For us, Ray Kress got POG going 3 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1BB, 1HR. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 3, 2R, 2BB. Smokey Meacham got his first start at catcher and went 2 for 4.

4/18 day off

4/19 StL @ DET: loss 6-9 Hal Andrew (3-1, 2.45) got the loss giving up 4R in 3.1IP. Ernie Middleton gave up 1R in 4.1IP but the win went to Fritz Kaufman (1-0, 2.70) who threw the final two outs of the 5th. POG went to Browns LF Johnny Champagne who went 2 for 5, 1R, 2RBI. For us, Smokey went 3 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR. Rollin Fish went 2 for 3, 1R, 1RBI, 1BB, 1DBL, 1HR. Dennis Kitterman went 2 for 5, 1R, 1RBI, 1HR. Luther Ormiston also hit a solo HR on a 1 for 4 day.

4/20 StL @ DET: WIN 8-6 Bud Urlich gave up 3R (1ER) in 6.2IP. The win went to Lloyd Wyman (1-1, 11.57) who blew a save, but held on for the win. Eugene Sprecher gave up 6R in 7.1IP, but the loss went to Joe Koppenmeier (0-2, 12.00) who gave up a 2R HR to Kitterman in the 9th. Top StL hitters were C Jake Shorkey (4 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1DBL), SS Elmer Menard (3 for 5) & 2B Johnny Perly (1 for 4, 1HR). For us, POG went to Ray Kress who went 2 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR. Dennis Kitterman went 2 for 5, 1R, 2RBI.

4/21 StL @ DET: WIN 8-0 Roy Wolfe (3-1, 1.62) pitched a 6 hit CG shutout for the win. Buster Davis (0-4, 5.72) gave up 8R in 6.1IP for the loss. Buster has a 10 game losing streak going on. Top StL hitter was 1B Vince Chipple (2 for 4, 1DBL). For us, Ray Kress got another POG going 3 for 5, 3R, 5RBI, 2HR. Dennis Kitterman went 2 for 3, 3R, 1BB. Luther Ormiston went 2 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR. Carl Sandoz went 2 for 4.

4/22 DET @ CLE: loss 6-9 Jack Boe (0-3, 5.22) gave up 7R in 6.1IP for the loss. Lex Tjeenk-Willink (2-2, 3.41) got the win despite giving up 5R in 8IP. Top CLE batters were 3B Emerson Meggs (3 for 5, 2R, 1RBI, 1DBL), SS Wilbur Taylor (3 for 5, 3RBI) & 1B AL Hippard (2 for 3). For us, POG went to Clinton Darling for going 2 for 4, 2R, 4RBI, 2HR.

4/23 DET @ CLE: WIN 9-6 Hal Andrew (4-1, 3.19) got the win despite giving up 5R in 7.1IP. Lloyd Wyman got his 3rd save pitching a scoreless 9th. George Kauffman got the loss giving up 5R in 6.1IP. Top CLE hitters were 1B Jerry Tuggle (3 for 4, 4R, 1DBL), LF Al Jackson (2 for 4, 3RBI, 2DBL) & RF Frank Winsett (1 for 3, 1HR). For us, Smokey Meacham got POG going 4 for 5, 2R, 4RBI, 1DBL, 1HR. Dave Castaneda went 4 for 6, 1RBI, 1DBL, 1TRPL. Matt Perly went 2 for 5, 2R, 2RBI, 1BB, 1HR.

4/24 DET @ CLE: loss 2-6 Bud Ulrich (1-3, 5.28) gave up 6R (5ER) in 7.2IP for the loss. Sam Cole (1-3, 3.21) gave up only 2R for a CG win and POG. Top CLE batter was RF Frank Winsett who went 2 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR. For us, Carl Sandoz went 2 for 4.

4/25 day off

4/26 BOS @ DET: loss 2-16 Ouch, big loss, we got out hit 7 to 22. Roy Wolfe (3-2, 3.86) gave up 9R in 1.2IP for the loss. Sonny Faulkner (2-3, 5.23) only gave up 2R in 8IP for the win. Pretty much Sox batter hit well but RF Ben Hargey got POG for going 3 for 5, 3R, 6RBI, 1BB, 1DBL, 1HR. 1B Bobby Johnson also homered going 2 for 5, 1R, 3RBI. For us, George Young was a perfect 2 for 2, 1HR filling in mid game for Kitterman.

4/27 BOS @ DET: WIN 4-3 Jack Boe gave up 3R (2ER) in 8IP but the win went to Lloyd Wyman (2-1, 8.53) who held in the 9th. Nippy Schnaubert gave up 3R in 8IP, but the loss went to Billy Hyberg who walked on the eventual game winning runner in the 9th. Top Sox hitter was SS Rusky Lutske (2 for 5, 1TRPL). FOr us, Ray Kress got POG going 1 for 3, 1R, 3RBI, 1BB, 1HR.

4/28 BOS @ DET: loss 10-12 Hal Andrew (4-2, 5.02) got yanked in the 2nd after giving up the 8th run. Dane Fabre (2-3, 6.32) got the win despite giving up 6R in 5.1IP. Top Sox hitters were RF Ben Hargey (2 for 6, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR, POG), C Em Pelto (3 for 4, 3R, 2BB) & SS Rusky Lutske (3 for 5, 2R, 1BB, 1DBL). For us, Dennis Kitterman went 4 for 6, 1R, 2RBI, 1TRPL. Carl Sandoz went 3 for 5, 2R, 1DBL. Smokey Meacham went 2 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1DBL, 1HR. Dave Castenda went 2 for 4, 3R, 2BB.

4/29 DET @ StL: WIN 3-2 Bud Urlich gave up 2R in 8.2IP for POG, but the win wasn't decided until the 14th inning. Steve Brown (1-0, 0.00) pitched a scoreless final two innings for the win. Eugene Sprecher pitched well giving up only 2R in 10IP, but the loss went to Ray Seidel for giving up a solo HR to Luther Ormiston in the 14th. Top StL hitter was LF Johnny Champagne (2 for 3, 1R, 2RBI, 3BB, 1HR). For us, John Dirtbag Degal hit a solo HR on a 1 for 3 day. Smokey played the second half of the game going 1 for 3, 1RBI, 1TRPL. Luther Ormiston went 1 for 4, 2BB, 1HR.

4/30 DET @ StL: WIN 6-3 Roy Wolfe (4-2, 3.77) got the win giving up 3R in 8IP. Don Vonkitzing walked 3 in the 9th but gave up no runs for his 2nd save. Buster Davis (0-5, 5.68) got the loss giving up 6R in 8IP to continue his losing streak (now at 11). Top StL hitters were LF Johnny Champagne (2 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR) & 1B Lester Walk (2 for 3). For us, Ray Kress got POG going 2 for 2, 1R, 2RBI, 3BB, 1DBL. Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1HR. Carl Sandoz went 2 for 4.

STANDINGS
12-11, 4th in the AL. 5.5 games behind Philly, 5-8 in the last 2 weeks

BAD NEWS
-After a nice start, most of our starters flopped in the second half. If my hair was long enough, I'd have pulled it all out by now with as inconsistent as my pitching has been for the past several years. Hal Andrew was especially bad in the last two weeks going 1-2, 13.11 ERA.

GOOD NEWS
-Ray Kress hit 5HR & 22RBI.
-Smokey Meacham also hit... nice to see Killbreath actually listen to me for once as I wanted to see Smokey get some more at bats and he made them count. We still need Degal to get the most of the at bats at catcher so he can develop into the stud we know he can be. But Meacham has been a breath of fresh air for this team.

ROSTER MOVES
-We had to release Pete Murovic as he would not accept a demotion to Toledo-AAA. We had hoped he'd stay on because he'd be the first to be called back up if Degal, Smokey, or even Ormiston were to go down with a big injury. Gale Adams is now next in line at catcher.

TRADE
-This just in... Detroit is sending SP Jack Boe and 1st round pick AA Closer Chris Delp to the Reds for SP Corky Stell. It was decided that due to the lack of consistency from our other three starters, we could not afford to wait any longer for Boe to develop. Stell will get the very next start in place of Boe. He will need to be kept on a pitch count as he has endurance problems. Combine that with the chronic rain delays we suffer early in the season and he may struggle initially. But, hopefully he'll settle in and be the consistent pitcher we've sorely needed.

APRIL BATTING

Name          G AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB  K  AVG  OBP  SLG

 
C. Darling    9  8  4  0  0  2  5  3  1  1 .500 .500 1.250 
G. Young      3  6  3  0  0  1  1  1  1  1 .500 .571 1.000 
J. Meacham   14 32 14  2  1  3 12  5  1  2 .438 .457 .844 
D. Castaneda 22 84 28  2  1  0  5 16 15 11 .333 .430 .381 
R. Kress     22 82 27  3  0  5 23 13 20  8 .329 .461 .549 
C. Sandoz    22 82 23  4  0  0  8 12  5  8 .280 .322 .329 
R. Fish      22 77 20  3  1  3  6  8  7  6 .260 .321 .442 
L. Ormiston  22 80 20  2  0  5 15  9 17  7 .250 .381 .463 
P. Short      7 12  3  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 .250 .250 .250 
D. Kitterman 22 92 22  3  1  2  8 15  7  8 .239 .300 .359 
I. Mitchell  14 17  4  1  0  0  1  1  1  1 .235 .278 .294 
M. Perly     23 85 19  4  1  3 13 10 10 12 .224 .302 .400 
J. Degal     18 56  8  0  0  1  3  3  2 10 .143 .172 .196 
S. Zucal     11  9  1  0  0  0  0  2  2  0 .111 .333 .111 
M. Ferron     5  8  0  0  0  0  0  1  1  1 .000 .111 .000

APRIL PITCHING

Name          G GS W L SV  ERA  IP  HA  R ER BB  K

 
R. Wolfe      6 6  4 2  0 3.77 43.0 46 18 18 10 28 
H. Andrew     6 6  4 2  0 5.02 37.2 32 21 21 22 23 
L. Wyman      8 0  2 1  3 6.48  8.1 12  6  6  5  2 
B. Ulrich     6 6  1 3  0 4.58 39.1 43 27 20 21 22 
S. Brown      3 0  1 0  0 0.00  3.1  2  0  0  3  0 
D. Vonkitzing 9 0  0 0  2 3.72  9.2 10  5  4  6  6 
A. Paule      6 0  0 0  0 3.77 14.1 12  7  6  8  8 
O. Adkins    11 0  0 0  1 3.52  7.2 10  5  3  6  4 
J. Boe        5 5  0 3  0 4.58 37.1 35 21 19 20 23 
E. Roberts    6 0  0 0  0 4.50  8.0  9  6  4  4  4

[canadiancreed]

Stell should do very well for you. WIth an actual offense (instead of Teddie ballgame and some average folks in the bat area) behind him, and that amazing 10 movement, that's a nasty rotation to be facing a four game stint against.

As you said though, make sure your relivers are rested. He'll need them for endurance issues.

[m0ng00se]

The extra work will probably be a good thing for our bullpen. It seems like every year we have to demote a reliever who fell apart talentwise because of lack of innings. Even our closer has seen his talent and reputation diminish some due to lack of throws. As long no one else developes endurance problems we should be alright.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by m0ng00se

The extra work will probably be a good thing for our bullpen. It seems like every year we have to demote a reliever who fell apart talentwise because of lack of innings. Even our closer has seen his talent and reputation diminish some due to lack of throws. As long no one else developes endurance problems we should be alright.

I agree your bullpen will get some rest with Wolfe, Ulrich and I forget the third starter that you had giving them a lighter load. With my team all my long stamina guys were either only suited for the bullpen, or in the minors, so hence they got a LOT of work. I've set records three years in a row for most games by a pitcher. SO having one low stamina guy shoudl be fine

Persoanlyl I think a change in scenery will do it good. Having the sigma that you're on the way out before you even unpack your bags isnt exactly good for the nerves. Combined to the fact that you left a team that was on the way to the big show, for a team who was hapy to finish over .500, and wel....you can see that he'd be happy to get back to a potential winner.

[m0ng00se]

Especially since Andrew follows him in the rotation. Andrew is one of the best at pitching CGs when he's pitching well.

1951, 5/1 THRU 5/15

5/1 DET @ StL: WIN 4-1 Corky Stell (2-4, 5.20) didn't even have time to unpack his suitcase before he was thrown in to action and he did not disappoint. He out dueled Cotton Simson for 7.2 innings giving up only 1R for the win and POG. Lloyd Wyman struck out two and pitched a hitless 9th for his 4th save. Cotton Simson (4-2, 3.48) gave up 4R in a CG loss. Top StL hitter was SS Elmer Menard who went 1 for 2, 1BB. For us, Matt Perly went 2 for 4, 1R, 1DBL. Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL. Ray Kress hit a 2R HR on a 1 for 4 day.

5/2 CLE @ DET: loss 0-1 Hal Andrew (4-3, 4.24) looked very good but gave up 1R for a CG loss. George Kauffman (2-3, 3.38) pitched 8.2 shutout innings for the win and POG. Both teams were held to 4 hits. Top CLE batter was PH Jerry Tuggle who went 1 for 1, 1RBI, 1DBL. For us, Carl Sandoz went 2 for 4.

5/3 CLE @ DET: WIN 9-5 Bud Urlich (2-3, 4.75) lucked out with some good run support as he got the win despite giving up 5R in 8IP. Sam Cole (1-5, 4.19) had to be yanked after giving up 7R in the first 2.2IP. Top CLE hitters were SS Wilbur Taylor (2 for 3, 2R, 1BB, 1TRPL), LF Al Jackson (2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1TRPL) & CF Richard Gambling (1 for 4, 1HR). For us, Ray Kress had a monster game going 3 for 5, 3R, 7RBI, 3HR for POG. Carl Sandoz went 2 for 4, 1RBI. Dennis Kitterman went 2 for 4, 3R, 1BB. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 4, 1R, 1BB.

5/4 CLE @ DET: WIN 10-7 Roy Wolfe (5-2, 3.66) gave up 7R (3ER) in 8.2IP for the win. Bernard Homic (1-5, 5.54) gave up 9R (4ER) in 7.2IP for the loss. Top CLE hitters were 2B John Valcarcel (3 for 5, 2R, 3RBI, 2HR) & C Alton Kee (1 for 3, 2R, 3RBI, 1BB, 1HR). For us, Luther Ormiston almost cost us the game with 2 errors, but instead earned POG with his bat going 2 for 5, 2R, 3RBI, 1DBL, 1HR. Carl Sandoz went 3 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL. Ray Kress went 1 for 3, 2R, 1RBI, 2BB, 1HR.

5/5 CLE @ DET: loss 3-4 Corky Stell (2-5, 4.75) gave up 4R (2ER) in 8IP for the loss. Lex Tjeenk-Willink (3-3, 3.62) gave up 2R in 8IP for the win and POG. Top CLE hitters were 3B Emerson Meggs (3 for 4, 1RBI) & RF Frank Winsett (1 for 3, 2R, 2RBI, 1BB, 1HR. For us, John Dirtbag Degal went 2 for 3, 1DBL. Matt Perly went 1 for 3, 1BB, 1HR. Isaac Mitchell filled in for Kress and went 1 for 3, 1HR.

5/6 DET @ PHI: loss 4-7 Hal Andrew (4-4, 4.92) continues to be inconsistent, this time giving up 7R in 6.1IP for the loss. Bob Stevens (5-0, 2.70) got the win giving up 4R in 8IP. Top A's hitters were 3B Bud Ayers (3 for 5, 2R, 5RBI, 1DBL, 2HR, POG) & RF Peaches Badeau (3 for 5, 2R, 1RBI, 1HR). For us, Matt Perly went 3 for 5, 1R, 1RBI, 1DBL. Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1RBI. Isaac Mitchell went 2 for 4, 1RBI. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 4, 1BB.

5/7 DET @ PHI: loss 3-4 Bud Ulrich (2-4, 4.72) gave up 4R in a CG loss. Ellis Weeks gave up 2R in 6.1IP but the win went to Ken Malia (2-2, 4.22) who gave up 1R before closing out the 7th. RF Peaches Badeau hit well going 2 for 4, 1HR. Greg Morris got POG for his clutch 3R HR in the 7th. For us, Luther Ormiston went 2 for 3, 1BB, 1HR. Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1RBI. Isaac Mitchell went 2 for 4, 1R.

5/8 DET @ PHI: loss 2-8 Roy Wolfe (5-3, 4.19) gave up 8R (6ER) in 6.1IP for the loss. Tad Zonkas (4-3, 3.71) gave up 2R in a CG win for POG. Top A's hitters were 2B Ace Habermehl (3 for 4, 3R, 2SB), 1B Sal Poulos (2 for 4, 3RBI, 2DBL) & Bud Ayers (2 for 4, 1R). Our top hitter was PH Steven Zucal who went 1 for 1, 1R, 1TRPL. We were held to 4 hits.

5/9 day off (get us the heck out of Philly).

5/10 WSH @ DET: loss 3-4 Corky Stell gave up 3R in 6.2IP but the loss went to Oswald Adkins (0-1, 3.27) for giving up 1R in the final 3 innings. Chuck McClendon only gave up 2R in 8IP and got POG but the win went to Lonnie Aldrich (1-1, 4.61) who gave up 1R in the final 2 innings. Top WSH hitters were LF Tom Foraker (3 for 5, 1DBL, 1HR), 3B Jim Dunkel (1 for 5, 2RBI, 1DBL, 1HR) & RF Hack Hitzemann (1 for 4, 1HR). For us, Matt Perly went 2 for 3, 1BB, 2HR. We were held to a pathetic 5 hits.

5/11 WSH @ DET: WIN 7-2 Hal Andrew (5-4, 4.50) got the CG win giving up only 2R and also contributed with his POG by hitting the longest HR of his career, a solo shot in the 7th. Chris Frays (4-4, 2.79) gave up 6R in 7IP for the loss. Top WSH batters were 1B Chris Anderson (2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1DBL) & CF Delmar Yordy (2 for 4). For us, Ray Kress went 2 for 3, 2R, 3RBI, 1BB, 1DBL, 1HR. Isaac Mitchell went 2 for 4, 1R. Hal Andrew went 1 for 3, 1BB, 1HR.

5/12 WSH @ DET: WIN 6-5 Bud Urlich continues to struggle giving up 5R (4ER) in 7.2IP. The win went to Lloyd Wyman (3-1, %.23) who pitched a hitless final inning. Van Melbourn (2-4, 4.38) gave up 6R in 8.2IP for the loss. Top WSH batters were CF Delmar Yordy (3 for 5) & RF Boyd Mylchreest (2 for 3, 2R, 3RBI, 1HR). For us, Matt Perly got POG going 2 for 5, 1R, 4RBI, 1HR. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 2, 3BB. Rollin Fish went 1 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR.

5/13 DET @ StL: loss 2-3 Roy Wolfe (5-4, 3.92) only gave up 3R (2ER) in a CG loss. Eugene Sprecher (3-3, 4.29) had a better day giving up only 2R in a CG win & POG. Top StL hitter was SS Elmer Menard (2 for 4, 1R). For us, Dirtbag Degal went 2 for 3, 1R & Dennis Kitterman went 2 for 4, 2RBI.

5/14 DET @ StL: loss 1-4 Corky Stell (2-6, 4.75) gave up 4R in 6.2IP for the loss. Buster Davis (2-6, 4.85) got the win and POG giving up 1R in 8.1IP. Top StL hitters were C Frank Bowers (2 for 4, 1DBL) & 1B Vince Chipple (2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI). For us, Ray Kress went 1 for 2, 1R, 2BB. Might as well walk him, no one is hitting behind him.

5/15 DET @ StL: WIN 10-2 Hal Andrew (6-4, 4.18) was sharp again giving up 2R in a CG win for POG. Cotton Simson (5-4, 3.42) lost his second in a row against us giving up 8R (6ER) in 4.1IP. Top StL hitter was LF Johnny Champagne (2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI. For us, Dave Castaneda went 3 for 6, 2R, 1TRPL. Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 2R, 2RBI, 1DBL, 1HR.


STANDINGS
18-19, 5th in the AL, 9GB Philly, 6-8 in the last two weeks

BAD NEWS
-Ormiston .230, Perly .244, Kitterman .215, Degal .184 - enough said.
-Ulrich also continues to struggle. 2-4 is not good enough from our #2 starter.
-Philly is too good to give them the kind of lead that they have. We need to step up soon. I'm getting tired of seeing my team play catchup. I can take years of losing if I am rebuilding a team, but this team is in its prime and is underachiving badly.

GOOD NEWS
-Andrew had three excellent CG wins and one stinker. His stuff is starting to look a little better and is hopefully be on his way regaining his all-star form.
-Stell pitched fairly well in his four starts (3.10 era). His record would be better if he would have gotten some more run support.
-Dave Castaneda continues to get better with his bat (.327) although it appears he's been slacking on his glove work a bit. He's no longer rated a 10 at SS.
-Both Isaac Mitchell and Carl Sandoz have been hitting well since I decided to let them share RF. Isaac starts against lefties and also gives Kress the occasional day off and has responded with a .385 since seeing his at bats increase.
-We have 3 in the AL Top5 HR hitters... now if only they would start hitting for better average...
-AA OF Gin Allen has been working on his defense and has picked up RF. He actually looks best in RF now where he has gold glove potential to add to his powerful swing. In a year or two I could see him replacing Short as our primary backup at all OF positions and possibly earn a starting spot a little later down the road just as Rollin Fish did. Sandoz is 33 and has already seen his skills on the decline. Gin should be primed to take advantage if age slaps Sandoz down any more.

[canadiancreed]

Stell pitched fairly well in his four starts (3.10 era). His record would be better if he would have gotten some more run support.

Different club, different league, same story. He jsut cant get an offense behind him

Still, i'm sure it'll turn around. After all, the A's choked last year, and your team is known to come on strong in the end (ok i'm trying to be optimistic, is it working?)

Also why are you looking for a RF?

[m0ng00se]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

Also why are you looking for a RF?

There is no dire need to make a change. I'd probably be better off sending out feelers for one more stud MR. But I'm not a fan of platooning a position so if I had been able to package one or both of them for a better RF I probably would have done it.

The other option is to wait for Gin Allen to improve and challenge for that position. Hopefully he'll be ready before Sandoz gets too old.

[BPS]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

After all, the A's choked last year...

The A's didn't choke they just, ummmm, ran out of luck. That's it, they just ran out of luck. The baseball gods just didn't want the A's to win too soon.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by BPS

The A's didn't choke they just, ummmm, ran out of luck. That's it, they just ran out of luck. The baseball gods just didn't want the A's to win too soon.

Saving it all for this year hmm?