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01-26-2011, 12:40 PM
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#1501 | ||
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Wichita's activity was good to see as they try to rise back to prominence. And New York's spending spree was appropriate. But I thought L.A. doing what it did while actually trimming payroll was interesting to watch. And noticing these things is why doing the writeups like I am now is working much better. I'm really getting a better grasp on all that's going on in the league. |
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01-26-2011, 08:23 PM
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#1502 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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I've come to the conclusion that I have botched defensive ratings for corner infielders, particularly first basemen. I've given them too much range, which I think is a big reason for all the conversions. I don't like the default import defensive ratings, and I think I've done outfielders well. But a lot of corner guys are getting moved to middle infield spots because I overgrade range. Not something I'm going to let kill the dynasty, but something I need to fix going forward.
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01-26-2011, 11:22 PM
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#1503 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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It's a great thing when a game can turn a story that puts a smile on your face. The April writeup includes one of those...
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01-27-2011, 07:21 AM
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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 2020 Season - April Recap WADDELL HURLS NO-NO Rube Waddell notches one of 7 strikeouts in no-hitter There are few players in the history of the PBL as revered as Rube Waddell is in Wichita. He led the Brigade to a championship in the PBL’s first season, going 27-7, and three consecutive division titles. Even when hard times came to Wichita, and Waddell’s own personal performance, few booed the fireballing lefty. He had earned that respect. Even in a short-lived bullpen stint in 2015, he was the “ace” – even when he wasn’t. After three losing seasons, Waddell found himself again last season. He wasn’t great, going 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA, but he was formidable again. Maybe, at 33, there was more left in the tank. There was. Waddell has opened the season 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA, posting a gaudy 0.76 WHIP in the process. And on the last day of the 2020 season’s first month, Waddell did something only five before him have done in PBL history. He hurled a no-hitter. Waddell struck out 7 and walked none in a 5-0 win at San Antonio. What could have been a perfect game was marred by two Wichita errors, one by Waddell himself. But those errors, the other by catcher Frank Chance, occurred in the first inning, ending the tension of the perfecto early. "My arm was a bit sore in warmups," confessed Waddell. "Sometimes you go out there and you're not feeling all that hot. You get into the game... and all of a sudden in the seventh inning you look up and see the scoreboard and think to yourself, 'Oh, my goodness, I have a no-hitter!' You're so focused on what you're doing, it just happens." Then he added, "Nobody goes out to pitch a no-hitter. We just go out and try to get a win. The key to it today was I mixed my pitches well. This kept the Sheriffs off balance and guessing the whole game. I only wish I could have done it at home in front of our great fans." “They don’t cut many from this guy’s cloth,” new manager Walter Alston – who has seen his share of great players over the years. “I’m honored to watch him and be part of this achievement.” TIDES ROLL IN  Tris Speaker has St. Louis on top of the SL East Their offseason took plenty of criticism. They traded their only real power threat a year after losing their only other power threat, and now they’ve hit only 7 homers in 23 games. They also have baseball’s best record. The St. Louis Tides have opened the 2020 campaign in stunning fashion, jumping out to a 15-8 start behind a great start from Tris Speaker, who has taken the challenge of carrying the lineup to heart. Speaker is batting .366 with 3 of the team’s 7 homers and a team-leading 16 RBI. Patsy Dougherty is batting .403 and Dickie Thon is off to a fast start, batting .341. Tommy Bond has opened up 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, and the bullpen has a PBL-best 2.33 ERA, with Joe Sambito and Bob Apodaca yet to be scored upon, having posted 16 1/3 scoreless innings between them. “I don’t worry about ‘experts’,” skipper Harry Wright said. “I worry about my players, and I’ve got the horses.” RIDING HIGH   Bruce and Bedrock have been great for Boston The loss of Jim Palmer has certainly hurt, as the Boston Riders’ starting rotation has a Northern League-worst 4.83 ERA. But the return has been great, as Yogi Berra is batting .381 to open the season and the Riders offense leads the league, as the team does with a 13-8 record. Bruce Sutter and Steve Bedrosian are both sporting 1.04 ERAs and sub-1.00 WHIPs in the early going, though the rotation has scuffled. After Steve Carlton (1-2, 4.15) and Johnny Schmitz (3-2, 4.15), there’s been a lot of shakiness. Rookie Scott Bankhead was deemed unready and sent down without making a start. Ed Morris was called up from the Browns Lake minor league squad, and went 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts, yet was demoted the other day so Catfish Hunter could be recalled. Hunter surely has the highest ceiling of their pitching options, but at 27 and three years out of last appearing in a PBL game, one wonders if his time has come and gone. Honus Wagner has stumbled a bit to a .264 start, striking out 26 times in his first 91 ABs. But Eddie Collins is batting .375 to open the season, Al Kaline has driven in 16 and Keith Hernandez is batting .309 as part of the offensive spurt to open the year. CHARLESTON HITS ANOTHER MILESTONE  Oscar Charleston picked up his 2,000th hit He’s passed 1,000 RBI, 1,000 runs and is approaching 300 steals. Now, Oscar Charleston joins an even more select group. The Los Angeles Idols centerfielder joined teammate Dan Brouthers as the only two members of the 2,000 hit club in PBL history. He did it in style, too, belting a 3-run homer off San Antonio’s Babe Adams at home on April 14. He received a warm, standing ovation from the crowd, despite the loss for the first-place Idols. The 32-year-old Charleston hasn’t topped 20 homers since the 2012 season. But he already has 7, tied with Dave Winfield behind team and league-leader Ralph Kiner, who has hit 10 to go along with his PBL-leading 30 RBI. RUTH BLASTING AGAIN  The powerful swing of Babe Ruth Remember the campaign last season for Babe Ruth to break the PBL single-season homer mark of 51? That lasted until Ruth lost the last month of the season to injury, winding up with 49 – in 125 games! Well he’s at it again, belting 10 in the season’s first month. He’s done that without Roger Connor hitting well to open the season (.238). If Connor gets going, Ruth may well see the challenge through this year. “He was real upset he didn’t get it,” Connor said of his slugging teammate. “If he stays healthy, he’ll get it. I guarantee it.” The Hitmen have struggled to start the season, off to a 9-12 start. While the offense has been solid, the pitching is putrid (league-worst 4.92 ERA). It doesn’t help that they are already 0-6 in one-run games. “We need to be tougher,” skipper Pants Rowland said. THE GOOD ED  It was all smiles for Ringers' Ed Walsh in April There’s joy in Philadelphia, as ace Ed Walsh seems to be back to form. Walsh won 21 games in 2018, only to come back last season and lose 21 games. If you remember, Philadelphia management quieted any concerns about Walsh last July when they inked him to a 3-year extension despite his troubles. So far this year he’s given a fine return on that investment. Walsh ended April 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA for the Ringers, who are 12-11, 2 games out of first in the Northern League East. SETBACK FOR SANDERS The concern that the career is over for Chicago ace Ben Sanders has been heightened with word out of Chicago that Sanders has suffered a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery, meaning his possible return late in the season has essentially been scrapped. Sanders, the PBL’s third winningest pitcher of all time with 162, went down with a shoulder injury last April only to return in July and then be shelved with elbow reconstruction surgery that was expected to keep him out until late August or September. Those surgeries followed one to repair a partially torn UCL in his elbow that cut short in 2018 campaign. In other injury news:
CONTRACT NEWS The St. Louis Tides rewarded Tommy Bond for his stellar work with a new 5-year extension worth $29 million. After years of pitching well for bad Las Vegas clubs, Bond is getting a return on his effort since joining the Tides before the 2015season. He’s gone 80-49 since coming to St. Louis. In Philadelphia, the Ringers locked up Red Munger with a 4-year, $22.9 million extension. Munger, 33, is 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA to open this season after going 14-6 with a 3.28 ERA last year.
AWARDS NORTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Babe Ruth, Chicago Hitmen NORTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Ed Walsh, Philadelphia Ringers NORTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Mike Greenwell, Indianapolis Engines SOUTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Ralph Kiner, Los Angeles Idols SOUTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Tommy Bond, St. Louis Tides SOUTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Mark McGwire, Memphis Strummers APRIL BATTING REPORT
APRIL PITCHING REPORT
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01-29-2011, 11:29 AM
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#1505 |
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All Star Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Posts: 1,525
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I've been meaning to ask you this for awhile. I know you said early in this dynasty, that this was based off an all-time roster set you were working on. How are you importing the draft classes? Are you working off a database? Or are you setting up draft manually? Just curious..I am interested in doing something similar as a diversion from A Shot at Redemption sometimes.
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01-29-2011, 12:35 PM
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#1506 | |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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01-29-2011, 01:01 PM
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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2020 Season - May Recap ENGINES START FAST AGAIN They lost Alan Trammell on Opening Day. It’s meant nothing. The Indianapolis Engines are once again running off with the Northern League West division, building an 8 game cushion on the strength of the Northern League’s most powerful offense. The Engines have blasted 75 homers in 51 games, led by Les Nunamker’s 15 and 10 from Willie Mays.  Les Nunamaker has been on fire for Indianapolis Also helping Indianapolis early is rookie Mike Greenwell, batting .324 with 7 homers, 26 RBI and a .401 OBP. Last week, the Engines got word that ace Lary Sorensen – who has cemented that status after his 16-win campaign last season with a 5-2, 2.16 ERA start to open this year – will miss a couple of starts with elbow soreness. Indianapolis management says the move is precautionary. The team expected to be their main competition, the Wichita Brigade, suffered through an 11-17 month that saw Ty Cobb out until the last day of the month and nobody but Bill Terry (.304-5-18 after an abysmal April) hit. It will be interesting to see if the Brigade can hang in until Duke Snider returns around the All-Star Break. Helping that cause is Rube Waddell, who is 6-1 with a 2.62 ERA and sparkling 0.84 WHIP. As an interesting aside, the Brigade lead the PBL in steals as expected. But the major names expected to lead that charge – Ty Cobb, Rickey Henderson and rookie Vince Coleman – aren’t atop the chart. Rather, Ken Griffey (15) and Frank Chance (12) lead the way. TWO TO 300   Roger Connor and Babe Ruth joined the 300-homer club It’s been a rough go for the Chicago Hitmen since the start of last season, but May saw them able to pay tribute to their two main stars. First baseman Roger Connor and rightfielder Babe Ruth became the 5th and 6th members, respectively, of the PBL’s 300-homer club. Connor reached the mark May 3rd, while Ruth hit the milestone homer on the 24th. THE WILD, WILD EAST No division drew more interest in the offseason than the Northern League East. The Boston Riders’ blockbuster trade of Jim Palmer for Yogi Berra combined with the spending by the reigning division champion New York Heroes to take over the top payroll slot in the PBL set up the East as the division to watch. So the Louisville Racers have upset the apple cart with their surge into first. Hitting a league best .294, the Racers went 17-11 to swipe first place in the division, largely led by the great start of catcher Smoky Burgess (.296-12-35). Helping this month, though, was Chick Hafey, who hit at a .386 clip, slugging better than .600.  Smoky Burgess has led Louisville to the division lead There’s some amusement to the story as well, as Louisville’s staff includes Joe Coleman…and Joe Coleman. Both are in the rotation, and right now they are the two best pitchers in that rotation. One is 4-1 with a 2.85 ERA, the other 4-6 despite a 3.81 ERA. As for Boston, the Berra deal has worked out well. Berra is batting .350 with 12 homers and 30 RBI for the Riders. But injuries – including Berra, out for a month with a hamstring injury, and Honus Wagner, out indefinitely with a shoulder injury – and a complete lack of pitching (a league worst 4.99 ERA) have set the Riders back, largely to blame for a 13-16 month. Speaking of injuries, they have decimated the New York Heroes, who have seen Ruppert Jones, Terry Kennedy, Otto Krueger and Wayne Gross sent to the disabled list. That and a horrendous pitching staff that has seen last year’s big free agent signing, Len Barker, relegated to the bullpen, have the Heroes in the cellar. NORTHERN LEAGUE NOTES
HARD ROCK IN MEMPHIS    Mark McGwire, Eddie Mathews and Heinie Manush lead Memphis Mathews is batting .339 with 8 homers and 34 RBI, while Manush has posted a .336-4-22 mark. But, despite his .245 average, the rookie McGwire has been stealing the show, bashing 15 homers and driving in 37, displaying true light-tower power. Mathews has willingly shifted to second base as the Strummers try to work in defensive standout Ryan Zimmerman at third. There’s more power on the way, though finding a home for them will be tough. But recent draftees Ken Caminiti (.321-8-22) and Matt Williams (.227-14-30) are putting on a display in the minors. Their pitching has struggled, particularly ace Tim Lincecum (2-5, 4.61). The loss of Frank Dwyer last week to a shoulder impingement, expected to keep him out until late July at the earliest, hurts. Dwyer was 4-0 with a 4.18 ERA in 10 starts. Blue Moon Odom (2-2, 4.82 with a ghastly 1.98 WHIP out of the pen so far) will take Dwyer’s rotation spot. WATER WORLD The Tides’ lack of offensive firepower, which they overcame in April, caught up with them in May as no starter topped a .780 OPS and only one starter, Tris Speaker, topped a .400 slugging percentage. Their .283 team average is countering the lack of pop (18 homers as a team in 51 games) to a degree, but the pitching rotation outside of Tommy Bond (6-3, 2.73) isn’t enough of a force to make that stand up over the long haul. The Orcas have seen a rebound from George Brett (.328 in May) and Joe Mauer (.378 in May) that, combined with the seeming arrival of Hack Wilson (.395-6-14 in 28 games) have Orlando thinking big things are coming to an offense already led by Rusty Staub, Jimmy Wynn, Goose Goslin and Ernie Banks.   George Brett and Joe Mauer are swinging sweet in Orlando They still can’t pitch, though, other than closer Reb Russell (3-2, 8 SV, 0.36 ERA in 21 appearances). PITCHING IDOLS But now they have the pitching to back it up, as they find themselves in the unfamiliar situation of posting the league’s best team ERA. Reigning Southern League Outstanding Pitcher Bob Ojeda (5-1, 3.38), reigning Northern League Outstanding Pitcher and trade pickup Jim Palmer (6-2, 4.07) and free agent acquisition Fergie Jenkins (6-1, 3.32) are leading the way. That doesn't even factor in Ed Summers, who was May's Southern League Pitcher of the Month. Consider that this team still has Mark Prior on the disabled list, expected back after the All-Star Break, and Los Angeles is set up for another championship run. WINNING IN VEGAS After a 10-win improvement last season, the Bosses are above .500 two months into this year. While nobody wants to make too much of the accomplishment, it’s important to note that in the first two months, they’ve lost at various times to the disabled list John McGraw, Jackie Robinson, Dave Parker, Ron LeFlore and pitcher Harry Krause. That they stayed afloat is largely attributable to Lou Gehrig (.317-13-50) and Bruce Hurst (8-2, 2.87).  Bruce Hurst has been stellar for Las Vegas But it’s also a testament to the depth they are creating. Add that Vegas’ minor league franchise is 31-26 and the future may be bright, finally, in Vegas. SOUTHERN LEAGUE NOTES
AWARDS NORTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Cal Ripken, Philadelphia Ringers NORTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Bill Byrd, Milwaukee Bangers NORTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Mike Greenwell, Indianapolis Engines SOUTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Lou Gehrig, Las Vegas Bosses SOUTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Ed Summers, Los Angeles Idols SOUTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Rafael Palmeiro, Alabama Airmen APRIL BATTING REPORT
APRIL PITCHING REPORT
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01-29-2011, 04:09 PM
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#1508 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Ah crap, I messed up and omitted the teams in the batting leaders. Oh well, next month's update will come tonight or tomorrow, so no biggie I suppose.
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01-30-2011, 11:31 PM
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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2020 Season - June Recap TRADING SEASON COMES EARLY Many wondered what the impact of the Pastime Baseball League’s addition of a true minor league would mean for the PBL itself. Perhaps there’s no correlation, but with June now wrapped up, it certainly seems teams were eager to jump into the trade waters earlier this season than in years past. A total of 12 trades were made in June. And one wonders how many of those were made thanks to teams having extra depth at their disposal. Consider the Orlando Orcas, who dealt both Bert Campaneris – who they moved to second base this season to correct last season’s error of keeping Ernie Banks on the bench instead of at short – and backup keystoner Jerry Remy. Why? Because they knew they had Tommy Herr ready, acquired during the offseason for first base prospect Joey Votto.  Tommy Herr will get a crack at Orlando's 2B job In return, Orlando got a pair of starting pitchers: Jay Hughes from Wichita and Dave Stewart from Milwaukee. Only four teams didn’t strike a deal in June: Los Angeles, Sacramento, New York and San Antonio. Most active were the Milwaukee Bangers who, in addition to dealing Stewart for Remy, also shipped Ervin Santana to Oklahoma City for catcher Hank Foiles. The surprise of this rather nondescript deal is that the Bangers sent more than $1 million in cash to Oklahoma City as well. The Bangers also dealt starter Eppa Rixey to Alabama for third baseman Sid Gordon and more than $1.6 million in cash, the only reason such a deal makes any sense for the Bangers.  Eppa Rixey is all smiles about returning to Alabama where he began his career Rixey was thrilled by the deal as it gives him a chance to return to the club where he spent his first 7 seasons. After struggling to a 4-8, 5.54 mark with Milwaukee, Rixey made his first start for the Airmen at home, earning a complete game win over Memphis and several standing ovations as well. The Bangers weren’t done with Rixey. But they were done with Luis DeLeon, whose high-wire act as closer grew less tolerable as Memphis came back to the pack in the Southern League East. So DeLeon and half a million dollars set sail for Las Vegas, which sent rookie John Kruk to Alabama. Arguably the two biggest deals involved the team with the biggest cushion at this point, the Indianapolis Engines. While leading by 14 games, the Engines dealt young first baseman Kent Hrbek to Philadelphia for ace pitcher Ed Walsh, a move that makes perfect sense for the Engines but not nearly as much for Philadelphia.  Indianapolis landed Big Ed Walsh They then dealt Pud Galvin to Chicago for rookie third baseman Edgar Martinez. While Chicago surely needs pitching, the playoffs this year seem unlikely. So why deal a 25-year-old hitter like Martinez for a 33-year-old pitcher? Surprise deal? How about Boston shipping perennial Gold Glover Keith Hernandez – who has won the award each of his five seasons in the PBL – to Arizona for pitcher Rick Rhoden.  Boston shockingly dealt 5-time Gold Glover Keith Hernandez With Boston leading the Northern League East and Arizona chasing the seemingly invincible Los Angeles Idols out West, Hernandez was said to be none too happy with the mood. But Boston’s thinking is simple…Hernandez is a free agent at season’s end, and they may very well bring him back if possible. THE THINKING IN PHILLY Virtually no one could understand what would prompt the Philadelphia Ringers to trade away ace Ed Walsh as they have gotten above .500 and remain within striking distance of the division lead. A large banner in leftfield after the trade boldly declared “Scott Cock-Sucker” – a shot at GM Scott Cockeram, who specifically ordered stadium officials to not remove the sign. “I know it wasn’t a popular move,” Cockeram said. “And if it doesn’t work out, then I guess they’ll be proven right. But we think [Kent] Hrbek gives up depth at first and the DH position, where we’ve struggled, and that Herb Pennock is ready to crack this rotation.”  Philadelphia's putting a lot of faith in Kent Hrbek That belief was cemented days ago when the Ringers signed Hrbek to a 2-year, $5.5 million extension. And Pennock rebounded from the rough first start – a 9-5 loss against second-place Louisville – to strike out 10 in an 18-1 drubbing of Wichita last time out. The offense has been potent, led by batting leader Mike Hargove (.345) and 24-year-old shortstop Cal Ripken (.323-18-61). With Warren Cromartie (.323), the Ringers have 3 of the Northern League’s top five in batting average.  Mike Hargrove readies to do what he's done better than anyone this season...get a hit. BOSTON’S BULLPEN DOMINATES Despite long-term injuries to Walter Johnson, Eddie Collins and Honus Wagner, the Boston Riders remain in first place in the Northern League East. A big part of that is baseball’s best bullpen, where rookie Scott Bankhead (1-0, 3.60, 1.07 WHIP) joins Chad Cordero (3.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP), Bruce Sutter (2-2, 4 SV, 6.85 ERA) and Steve Bedrosian 3-2, 13 SV, 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP). Sutter’s numbers surely froze you. But that damage was virtually all in May, when Sutter allowed 15 hits including 4 homers, and six walks over 7 innings for an 18.00 ERA in 8 appearances. But in April and June combined, Sutter’s posted a 1.76 ERA and a WHIP a tick over 1.00.  Rick Rhoden jumps into Boston's rotation The starting rotation has a new face now, Rick Rhoden, gained in the surprising trade of Gold Glove first baseman Keith Hernandez to Arizona. Hernandez was having his best offensive season (.314-7-39 in 49 games) to date. But the Riders decided to end the Mike Hegan second-base experiment, knowing Eddie Collins was returning soon and content with Adam Dunn (.236-13-42) in the DH slot. Rhoden went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in his first two starts for Boston. BRIGADE MARCH TO MILESTONES When you’re 14 games out before reaching the All-Star Break, even while playing .500 ball, it’s hard to get excited about much. But the Wichita Brigade had a milestone heavy final week of the month, regardless. On June 28, Wichita icon Frank Chance hit a 2-run shot off of Milwaukee’s John Montefusco to give him both his 1,000th run scored and 1,000th RBI of his stellar 12-season career – each spent in Wichita.  Frank Chance's stellar career gained a few milestones The next day, Jay Gibbons hit a solo shot in the second inning - the first of two Gibbons hit off Los Angeles starter Ricky Nolasco – for career home run number 300. “These guys are pros,” manager Walter Alston said. “It’s a pleasure to watch them at their craft every day.” BYRD MENTORING WILLIAMS It would be easy to be frustrated if you’re Smoky Joe Williams. You’ve been in Milwaukee since the franchise’s inception in 2013, taken as their first overall pick in the 2012 Amateur Draft. You throw 240+ innings every season with an ERA more than half a run below league average while putting up .500 records as you wait for your team to put together an offense befitting its name.  Smoky Joe Williams has been exceptional for Milwaukee But all that the Bangers ace has done this season is go 10-4 with a 2.73 ERA. And he thanks veteran Bill Byrd. “He came here after pitching for strong, winning teams in New York and Philadelphia, and his attitude has been great,” Williams, 28, said of his 35-year-old mentor. “He’s always in my ear about focus, and that’s really helped me this season.” Byrd won 17 games last season for a team that went 80-82, the same pace Milwaukee is on pace for this season. “Joe’s got the goods,” Byrd said. “And we both plan on being here for Milwaukee’s first championship.” MAC ATTACK IN MEMPHIS It won’t be Lou Gehrig’s monster campaign in Las Vegas last season, but Memphis’ Mark McGwire seems poised to leave his own rookie mark on the Pastime Baseball League. McGwire has watched 31 balls sail over the wall The slugging rookie first baseman enters July with 31 home runs, on pace to obliterate the mark of 51 co-held by George Hall and Dan Brouthers – a mark most presumed Babe Ruth of Chicago would be the one to shatter. “This boy is a freak,” teammate Eddie Mathews said. “There hasn’t been a single one of those shots that’s had any doubt.” After belting 11 homers in May, McGwire took off with 16 blasts in June. But while in May he reached the seats despite a .229 average and .311 OBP, his June numbers showed a .340 average and .417 OBP to elevate his season stats to .284-31-69. Perhaps most impressive for the rookie…McGwire has hit .292 with 10 homers in close/late situations, during which he has posted an OPS of 1.153, a big reason for first-place Memphis’ 17-8 mark in one-run games. COVELESKI’S BRILLIANCE CONTINUES  Harry Coveleski warms up Who’s the best pitcher in the PBL? Look to Arizona and 28-year-old Harry Coveleski. He may not be the biggest name, and he surely doesn’t throw the hardest. But over the past 2 ½ seasons, Coveleski is 40-18 with a shimmering 2.77 ERA. “It feels like every pitch is on the black, at the knees,” manager Bobby Cox said of his ground ball specialist, who has allowed 25 homers in 741 2/3 career innings. “To get a rally against him you need to string something together, and that makes it very difficult. You’re not going to get that big bomb.” Coveleski missed the last three months of last season with elbow inflammation. When he went down, he was 11-7 with a 3.30 ERA. Arizona was so confident he would return to form that not only did they ink Coveleski to a 1-year extension in October, they tore that deal up a month later and signed him to a two-year extension instead. “Baseball’s best team is in our division, which makes it tough,” Coveleski, the 2018 Southern League Outstanding Pitcher said. “But I love a challenge, and I think we’re going to have our day here.” INJURY ROUNDUP A costly month for many teams on the injury front:  Fernandomania is on hold for a year The Las Vegas Bosses lost two fifths of their rotation when back problems put ace Bruce Hurst (9-2, 3.45) on the shelf, likely for a couple of months. But the bigger concern is Fernando Valenzuela (7-7, 4.16), the 23-year-old lefty many feel will be an All-Star eventually, but who is now out for the season and likely the first part of next year as well with elbow surgery. Wichita’s Ty Cobb is again out with injury, this time a torn posterior cruciate ligament. Cobb has been remarkable when he’s been on the field. He missed virtually all of May with a herniated disc. But in the 35 games he’s played this season, Cobb has batted .419 with a .449 OBP and a .588 SLG, MVP-type numbers. But this is the frustration that prompted Los Angeles to trade him last offseason, for Cobb’s ability has never been in question. Speaking of the Idols, they lost Oscar Charleston (.307-16-47) to a back injury that will likely keep him on the shelf until the All-Star Break. Orlando’s surge in the Southern League East took a hit when Rusty Staub strained a rib cage muscle. He was put on the 15-day DL and is out indefinitely. And then there’s Chicago, where the Hitmen are down four starting pitchers now that Sam Jones (3-3, 3.35) is out, possibly for the year, with a partially torn labrum in his shoulder. Jones, who was coming off a 1-hitter when he was injured, joins Ben Sanders, Rube Foster and Dennis Leonard on the shelf for the Hitmen. Of those four, Leonard is the only one considered a possibility to return this season.  Sam Jones is Chicago's latest casualty
AWARDS NORTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Jay Gibbons, Wichita Brigade NORTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Carlos Marmol, Philadelphia Ringers NORTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Barry Larkin, Chicago Hitmen SOUTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Mark McGwire, Memphis Strummers SOUTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Tommy Bond, St. Louis Tides SOUTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Mark McGwire, Memphis Strummers JUNE BATTING REPORT
JUNE PITCHING REPORT
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01-31-2011, 12:12 AM
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All Star Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Posts: 1,525
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Scott Cock-Sucker. He He.
 Great update. Head scratching deal by Philly, but great move by Indy who must realize how important it is to have starting pitching in the postseason. |
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01-31-2011, 09:33 AM
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Quote:
 Putting Pennock in the rotation was long overdue. But they could have done that by removing someone else and keeping Walsh. Hrbek's a fine hitter, but they already have Will Clark developing at first base, and Hargrove could play there if needed. They could have dealt Walsh for a more pressing need had they been insistent on dealing him. But who knows, maybe it will surprise us going forward. But that Northern League East is very winnable...dealing the ace doesn't seem the best move. Indy obviously has its eye on meeting the Idols in the championship again. And with L.A.'s improved pitching, Indy knows it needs to keep up. |
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02-02-2011, 11:14 AM
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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2020 Season - July Recap NORTHERN LEAGUE TAKES THRILLING ALL-STAR GAME After three straight All-Star Game victories, the Northern League found itself shut down by Southern League pitching last season, falling 6-0. This year, the Northern League sought to get its crown back. What resulted was a wild affair held at The Dune, home of the Arizona Sandmen. The Northern League won this year’s battle 8-7, the first All-Star game in PBL history to go into extra innings. The Southern League led 5-1 going into the 8th, only to have Luis DeLeon surrender a pair in the 8th without retiring a batter and Idols closer Jonathan Papelbon was shelled for four runs in the 9th to surrender the lead, allowing a 2-run bomb to Charlotte’s Paul Hines. Papelbon was spared the loss, though, as Del Ennis picked up an RBI single and Mickey Mantle scored from third on an error by Vic Wertz, uncharacteristically playing second base as Dave Righetti wasn’t sharp and was victimized by the error as well. All was forgiven though in the 10th, when Wertz made up for his error, hitting a SAC Fly to score Frank Chance before Steve Bedrosian came in to throw a scoreless 10th, striking out Orlando’s Joe Mauer and Alabama’s Rafael Palmeiro to end it. Boston’s Mike Hegan played the duration in the DH slot, getting three hits including a homer with 3 runs and 3 RBI, earning MVP honors. Boston's Vic Wertz made up for a costly error with the winning hit
ALL-STAR GAME HISTORY 2009: NL 5, SL 3 MVP: John McGraw 2010: SL 6, NL 4 MVP: Oscar Charleston 2011: SL 4, NL 1 MVP: Fred Tenney 2012: NL 14, SL 6 MVP: Brian Roberts 2013: SL 5, NL 1 MVP: Sam Thompson 2014: NL 4, SL 2 MVP: Dan Brouthers 2015: SL 13, NL 7 MVP: Fred Dunlap 2016: NL 14, SL 1 MVP: Roger Connor 2017: NL 9, SL 6 MVP: Ken Griffey 2018: NL 6, SL 4 MVP: Eddie Matthews 2019: SL 6, NL 0 MVP: Tony Perez 2020: NL 8, SL 7 MVP: Mike Hegan BEST OF THE WORST In 2018, the Sacramento Stingers became the division champion with the worst record in PBL history, taking the Northern League West crown with an 81-81 record. They may have competition. There’s plenty of season left, but the story in the Southern League East is intriguing to watch. A month ago, two teams were at .500 in the tightly packed division. But now, after a month in which only Orlando played better than .500, the East has a 3-way tie for first, five teams within 3 games of each other, and nobody above .500.  Goose Goslin hit .346 in July to help Orlando surge into a tie atop the Southern League East Momentum seemed to reside with Orlando, which went 13-3 to start the month before closing it on a 3-7 downswing. Still, the offensive surge brought on by Rusty Staub (.324, 7 HRs in July), Goose Goslin (.346), George Brett (.314) and Chino Smith (.317), as well as Hack Wilson slugging a silly .707 for the month, has many feeling the Orcas, if they get any pitching, will be the team to beat here. The St. Louis Tides were criticized for their lack of power coming into the season, with reports even indicating Tris Speaker went to management seeking some reinforcements having lost Rusty Staub and Duke Snider in successive seasons. But the Tides are second in offense in the Southern League, despite their paltry 46 homers. Eventually, most feel, something has to give there. HOMER MARK IN SIGHT With two months left in the season, the PBL single-season homer mark seems almost certain to fall. It’s not Babe Ruth. And it’s not rookie sensation Mark McGwire, either. Ralph Kiner has surged to the lead in the PBL home run race, sitting at 40 with 60 games left to knock 11 out of the park to tie the record. “I can’t worry about that,” Kiner said. “I just want to help us get another championship.”  L.A.'s Ralph Kiner goes deep again McGwire’s only 3 back of Kiner at 37, and he too has a shot at passing the 51 mark shared by George Hall and Dan Brouthers. SNIDER’S FRUSTRATING SEASON The hip injury suffered by Duke Snider during the spring was frustrating enough. The setback during his rehab that delayed his return by another month was emotionally punishing. Snider’s latest calamity is simply angering. Snider returned to the Wichita Brigade on July 4. In 13 games he batted .358 with 6 homers, 16 RBI and a .736 slugging percentage. Then he crashed into the wall pursuing a fly ball, injuring his shoulder. He’s likely out until late August. Wichita fans hoped to see this image far more often this season...Duke Snider crossing home! “What am I supposed to do,” Snider asked rhetorically. “I can’t stop playing hard. It’s not how I’m wired.” Wichita fans hopeful that Snider and free agent pickup Ty Cobb would vault their offense to the top of the Northern League have been disappointed not in the play, but the lack of time the duo have spent on the field. Combined, Snider and Cobb have hit .406 with 10 homers and 41 RBI in 229 combined ABs this season. The duo have been in the lineup together twice all season, on July 17 and 18. Wichita won both games. THOMPSON HITS MILESTONE The great career of Arizona Sandmen outfielder Sam Thompson earned another notch on what will ultimately be a Hall of Fame career. Thompson picked up career hit number 2000 in a 2-1 victory over San Antonio on July 27. Manager Bobby Cox paid tribute to Thompson after the game: "I've followed Sam since he came into the league," he said. "Fine ballplayer. Fine work ethic. I'm not surprised by what he's achieved." The 36-year-old Thompson finished the day with 2 hits in 5 at-bats. During his career Thompson has hit for a .295 average and totaled 2001 hits, 355 home runs (2nd alltime) and 1278 RBIs (also 2nd). CHARLOTTE LOOKS AHEAD Last July, it was a 7-20 mark in July that knocked the Charlotte Cougars out of contention in the Northern League East. This July, it was an 8-18 month that dashed their hopes. Now 11 ½ games out in the East, the Cougars are forced – barring miracles – to look forward. Fortunately for them, there seems to be hope on the horizon, as the Toledo Mavericks minor league squad is a dominant 80-31. That’s largely due to a pitching staff that, despite the 4.65 league ERA has posted a team ERA of 3.76. Twenty-three year olds Bobby Witt (11-3, 3.13) and Billy Pierce (5-0, 3.32) have led the staff, while closer Bobby Thigpen has notched 24 saves with a 2.85 ERA.  Charlotte hopes Bobby Witt will be one of the future leaders of its pitching staff. The minors’ best offense has been carried by veterans Pat Putnam (.283-21-89) and Gabe Gross (.263-17-68) . Top draft pick Barry Bonds, who struggled with Charlotte, has been sent back down and has hit .302 with 2 homers and 8 RBI in 14 games. QUIET TRADE DEADLINE After a flurry of deals in June, nobody knew quite what to expect at this year’s trade deadline. The answer was nothing much. There were several deals, but most of them were of the small variety. The biggest to occur was Oklahoma City dealing Albert Pujols to San Antonio for Ted Trent. On the surface, it’s a trade for need. San Antonio’s pitching was strong but their offense lacking, the inverse of Oklahoma City’s situation.  Albert Pujols is on the move again But, while Oklahoma City’s fans had grown fond of Pujols (.238-15-68), who is having a down season but has been a formidable offensive force with Mickey Mantle, Trent (7-7, 3.67) – a 3-time outstanding pitcher winner – is an institution in San Antonio. He’s again on pace to make 30 starts for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Both players are 32, and San Antonio saves roughly $1.7 million in the deal. Still, dealing the face of the franchise without getting younger is debatable. Meanwhile, Indianapolis showed it’s thinking ahead to the postseason – and rightly so – dealing 36-year-old Al Spalding (13-3, 2.91) to the New Orleans Knights for veteran second baseman Fred Dunlap. The acquisition of Dunlap, who had been in the minors most of the season as New Orleans acquired Joe Morgan during the offseason, gives Indianapolis a strong defensive second baseman with power, whose low average and OBP can be absorbed by the rest of the Engines’ lineup. The acquisition of Ed Walsh last month, combined with the emergence of young Adam Wainwright (8-3, 3.17), made this deal possible as the Engines continue to make all the right moves.  Adam Wainwright gave Indianapolis flexibility to deal Al Spalding during a career year to address the hole at second base. NOTEBOOK
Charlie Gehringer has both hit and fielded well for Chicago
LEADERS
AWARDS NORTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Bill Terry, Wichita Brigade NORTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Kid Nichols, Wichita Brigade NORTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Ruben Sierra, New York Heroes SOUTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Eddie Mathews, Memphis Strummers SOUTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Mike LaCoss, Arizona Sandmen SOUTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Frank Thomas, Orlando Orcas JULY BATTING REPORT
JULY PITCHING REPORT
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02-02-2011, 05:26 PM
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#1513 |
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All Star Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Posts: 1,525
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The Southern League East race is pretty interesting...is it because the other division is so good? or are they just beating up on each other?
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02-02-2011, 05:56 PM
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#1514 | |
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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Quote:
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02-06-2011, 12:54 AM
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2020 Season - August Recap HOMER RACE FOR THE RECORD Last month we wrote that the homer mark seemed destined to fall, with Los Angeles Idols star Ralph Kiner sitting at 40 with 60 games left. Memphis’ Mark McGwire had fallen a bit off pace, and Babe Ruth of Chicago was well off. How a month can change things. Ruth went on a tear in August, knocking 13 out of the park to get to 40 with a month remaining. His hitting 11to reach the benchmark of 51 is not out of the question by any stretch. Kiner missed two weeks with a concussion after being hit by a pitch thrown by St. Louis’ Russ Ford. As a result, Kiner hit only 2 homers on the month, leaving him with 42. McGwire has slowed after his 16-homer June, hitting 6 in July and 5 in August, as he too sits at 42. Though third in the pursuit, it seems Ruth has the most momentum. He and Kiner also have little stress over the final month, though for very different reasons, as Chicago is out of it and Los Angeles coasts to yet another division crown. McGwire has the toughest road because he must perform in the middle of a hot pennant race in the Southern League East, which is next up in our August review. MATTHEWS CARRIES MEMPHIS TO LEAD What was a three-team, sub-500 tie for first in the Southern League East a month ago seems to have devolved into a two-horse race, with the Memphis Strummers seizing control after a 19-9 run in August. Leading the charge was Eddie Mathews, who is possibly the most underrated player in the PBL. Mathews has been lost behind the Mark McGwire story for much of the season. But the 23-year-old third baseman followed up his July Batter of the Month award by taking home the prize again for August, batting .321 with 9 homers and 26 RBI to bring his season stats to .324-29-93. Memphis did take a blow, however, on August 21, when they lost Willie Stargell (.274-28-73) for the season with a broken hand. The stunner was the August collapse of the Orlando Orcas, who seemed poised to snatch the division nobody seemed to want to win. The only real production from the offense came from Rusty Staub (.327-5-18) and George Brett (.378-5-17). Goose Goslin (.221), Ernie Banks (.197) and Jimmy Wynn (.179) picked a poor time to go cold (though Banks has had a terrible season on the whole (.212-22-73)). That is how you post a 9-19 month and go from a tie for first to the cellar and 10 games out in a 30-day stretch. Then come the St. Louis Tides, who we’ve talked about for months as having little margin for error because of their lack of power. Despite a league-best batting average (.283), their lack of power means they MUST keep hitting, and pitching must remain at least solid. In August, the bullpen struggled mightily, bringing a 14-15 month that dropped them 5 ½ games behind Memphis as we enter the final month. Joe Sambito (1.29 ERA) suffered a hamstring injury mid-month that has him on the DL. The remaining relief corps were atrocious: Bob Apodaca (6.10), Alejandro Pena (6.75) and Joe Hoerner (8.10) failed to get it done, and now the Tides need to claw from behind. However, there’s potential for a phenomenal race here, as the schedulemakers have these two rivals playing 11 games in September and the first week of October, including a three-game set in Memphis to close out the season. THE RACE IN THE EAST The SL East has been one to watch mostly because of the combination of poor record and closeness of the race. But in the NL East, it has come down to a two-team race separated by a half game as we enter the stretch drive. Louisville got 9 homers and 26 RBI from slugging shortstop Rico Petrocelli and saw Jim Lefebvre rediscover his stroke (.345 on the month) after an erratic three-month stretch. Edinson Volquez (14-10, 4.20) and Vic Raschi (14-9, 4.17) went a combined 8-2 with a 2.98 ERA over 12 starts to help Louisville overcome the missing Joe Jackson (.337-5-36). Jackson returned last week after missing five weeks because of a torn thumb ligament and still looks shaky. But it’s still Boston’s division, if only by a half-game, thanks to a 9-1 stretch to close out the month, a loss to Charlotte August 30 snapping a 12-game winning streak. Key was an offensive explosion, particularly with respect to home runs. Five different players slugged at least 7 homers on the month, with rookie Fred McGriff’s 11 pacing the Riders’ 52-homer August barrage. Boston started the month 3-11, and skipper Charlie Manuel believes their late-month streak proved their championship mettle. We easily could have let it spin out of control,” Manuel said. “That we didn’t speaks volumes.” Boston and Louisville meet 9 more times this season, including a three-game set in Louisville to end the season October 2-4. L.A. LOYALTY Why do players want to play in Los Angeles? Sure, it’s easy to point to their three titles in four years. But what just happened with Mark Prior might stand out even more. Prior, 32, came back during August after his second elbow surgery. He posted a 6.20 ERA over those three starts, looking rusty and showing a lack of command. But the Idols believe the PBL’s alltime winningest postseason pitcher (11-1) will rebound. And to prove it, they inked Prior on August 31 to a 4-year, $11.5 million deal. “Mark has worked incredibly hard to come back from not one but two major surgeries,” Idols GM Bill Thompson said, though the first of those came when he was with the New Orleans Knights. “That mentality is what’s made him a legend in the PBL, what’s made him a postseason giant. We believe in him and wanted to show it. Prior was to be a free agent at season’s end. Now he can focus on trying to pitch the Idols to another championship. ANSON’s 2000th Mr. Steady, Cap Anson, became the fourth member of the Pastime Baseball League’s 2,000-hit club on August 27. The Sacramento first baseman, 35, has posted an OPS in the .800s every season since his injury-shortened 2010 season with the exception of 2017 for Orlando, when he posted a .786. A lifetime .297 hitter, Anson is batting .287 with 19 homers and 91 RBI, seemingly a lock for his fourth 100-RBI season and his first since 2014. “It’s a nice number to get to,” Anson said. “But I haven’t been to the postseason since that first 2009 campaign with Memphis. I want one more crack at the ring.” In that 2009 postseason, Anson hit .429 with 5 homers and 12 RBI before Memphis fell to Wichita in six games. Anson is signed through 2022. INDY’s PITCHING FIRST Their wins and ERA leader isn’t even with the team anymore. So how is it that the Indianapolis Engines have the PBL’s top pitching staff? Lary Sorensen (12-9, 3.21) is having another stellar season. Ed Walsh, acquired from Philadelphia (who incidentally went 9-20 in August and have gone 26-41 since trading Walsh) has gone 9-4 since coming over, despite a 4.09 ERA. But the key has been young Adam Wainwright, who has gone 10-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts after a 3-2, 2.45 ERA in the minors. “He’s been incredibly consistent,” manager Bill McKechnie said of Wainwright, who since coming up in May has posted monthly ERAs of 3.29, 3.38, 2.87 and 3.20. TRENT PLAYS TEACHER IN OKLAHOMA CITY “These guys don’t know how to win yet,” Oklahoma City general manager Al Vroonland said. “Ted’s been there, the anchor of two division winners in San Antonio before their recent hardships and the emergence of Los Angeles as a powerhouse. The only of the four expansion franchises never to have cracked .500, the Oklahoma City Scorpions have never really had that veteran leader. Honus Wagner faltered and was focused on trying to resurrect his career. Fred Dunlap was tough and gritty, but had never won with Charlotte before coming over. And Albert Pujols, many say, simply grew too frustrated with the lack of progress to really take over and lead. “If we’d gotten better, I think Albert would have snatched the reins and pulled us the rest of the way,” Vroonland said of Pujols, whom he traded to San Antonio before the deadline. “But the stagnancy didn’t sit well with him.” And so Pujols was shown the door. But the return was unexpected. Ted Trent had thrown nearly double the innings of any player in San Antonio Sheriffs history. His 148 wins are more than 60 ahead of the next-highest pitcher (Cy Falkenberg). He’s a three-time Southern League Outstanding Pitcher winner, and revered in San Antonio. That he became available shocked everyone. It saved San Antonio $1.5 million, to trade an icon. “I wanted to lead San Antonio back to the playoffs, to a title,” Trent said. “Those fans deserve that. But this was business, and my job here is to lead.” He was 7-7 with a 3.67 ERA for the Sheriffs this season. Since coming to Oklahoma City, he’s made six starts, going 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA. And he’s beaten San Antonio twice. “I love the guy,” pitcher Craig Swan said. “We talk focus all the time. And when you see the guy go out there, knowing he was shocked by this trade, and still to be doing what he’s done, it makes you see how to go about it.” It’s worked for Swan at least. He went 5-1 with a 1.39 ERA in August, earning Pitcher of the Month honors. NOTEBOOK
AWARDS NORTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Babe Ruth, Chicago Hitmen NORTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Noodles Hahn, Sacramento Stingers NORTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Fred McGriff, Boston Riders SOUTHERN LEAGUE BATTER OF THE MONTH: Eddie Mathews, Memphis Strummers SOUTHERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Craig Swan, Oklahoma City Scorprions SOUTHERN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Rafael Palmeiro, Alabama Airmen BATTING LEADERS
PITCHING LEADERS
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02-06-2011, 05:58 PM
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#1516 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Sorry for skipping pictures in the last writeup, was just exhausted last night when I posted this.
On to a VERY exciting end to the season... |
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02-07-2011, 07:38 PM
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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2020 Season - September Recap Pennant Race Review With the Indianapolis Engines cruising in the Northern League West, and the Los Angeles Idols coasting themselves to another division crown in the Southern League’s west division, September’s focus sits on each league’s eastern division, where the pennant races reside. SL EAST PENNANT RACE Memphis’ 19-9 August had given them a 5 ½ game cushion entering September, with St. Louis’ only hope seeming to be the 11 head-to-head games the schedulemakers had lined up for them before the season. Memphis went 11-8 in the games from Sept. 1 to the end of the season that weren’t against the Tides. Other than against Memphis, St. Louis went 11-7. So the Strummers had a cushion to play with. Were they to go 3-8 in the remaining 11 against St. Louis, the division was theirs. Sept. 4-6: St. Louis goes into Memphis to take 2 out of 3 as strong outings from Carl Erskine and Virgil Trucks bookended a rough outing from ace Tommy Bond.  Carl Erskine kicked off the first of 11 stretch-drive games against Memphis with a complete game effort in a 5-1 St. Louis victory. Sept. 15-16: The teams meet for a 2-game tilt in St. Louis, where Bond threw a complete-game 5-hit shutout in the opening 7-0 win before St. Louis scored 13 runs on 23 hits in a 13-4 drubbing in game 2. Sept. 21-23: The quirky schedule not only gave these two teams 11 matchups in the final five weeks, but 9 of them were to take place in Memphis. Bond won the opener in this 3-game set as well, getting 17 runs of support as the Tides’ offense continued to roll. But Juan Guzman answered with a Game Two win before the Tides eked out a 4-3 win in the series finale. The Tides had gone 11-4 over the final three weeks of September while Memphis went 8-7, before losing on Oct. 1 to Orlando. When the final series of the year started in Memphis, the Strummers had a 1-game lead to protect. There was an added backdrop to the season-ending series, further drama than the division crown and playoff berth that hung in the balance. For rookie sensation Mark McGwire had gotten hot again, despite not having Willie Stargell – out for the season with a broken hand – behind him for protection. McGwire entered the final series with 50 homers, the third player in PBL history to reach the mark and 1 behind the record number of 51!  Tris Speaker takes batting practice before his 5-for-5 performance in Game One of the season-ending 3-game set in Memphis. Tris Speaker showed his leadership skills as he had all season, and particularly during a September push in which he batted .408, by going 5-for-5 with 4 runs scored in the series opening 9-4 St. Louis win to force a tie atop the division with 2 games left. Del Crandall had hit a 3-run homer for Memphis, but that was one of only five hits Ralph Branca surrendered for St. Louis. Blue Moon Odom fell for Memphis and McGwire went 1-for-4, with a second inning single. Tommy Bond wasn’t sharp, walking 6 over 5 innings in Game Two. But it was good enough as he allowed only a single run and the Tides bullpen – led by Joe Hoerner’s 3 perfect innings - gave the offense time for insurance as Bond won his 20th for the third time, the Tides beating Charlie Leibrandt for the third time in less than a month in a 6-2 win that now put all the pressure on Memphis, which was left playing for its life. McGwire went 0-for-1 with a walk, but left after pulling a hamstring in the fifth inning.  Charlie Liebrandt lost to St. Louis three times in the season's final five weeks. He declared soon after the game he would definitely play the finale, and Memphis was sending ace Tim Lincecum, struggling through the worst season of his career, to the mound to try and force a 1-game playoff for only the second time in PBL history. Memphis’ Don Kessinger drove home Doc Gessler with an RBI single in the second of the Tides’ Russ Ford to give Memphis a 1-0 lead, as Lincecum looked strong. Then came the 5th. Claudell Washington hit a 3-run homer to jump start what would become a 6-run inning as Lincecum lost it in the bat of an eye. Turkey Stearnes added a 2-run triple as part of that barrage, and would later drive in another on an RBI double in the 7th in what was a 9-2 game when Memphis came up for the last time in the bottom of the ninth, its playoff hopes dashed.  Claudell Washington takes Tim Lincecum deep for a 3-run blast in the 6th innings of the season finale. The only remaining excitement was the opportunity for McGwire – 0-for-2 with 2 walks on the day at that point – to get one more crack at history. He would need a hit from someone ahead of him to get that chance, up fourth in the inning. First-ball swinging, Heinie Manush grounded out to second. It took two pitches for Dale Mitchell to fly to center, bringing MVP candidate Eddie Mathews to the plate to try and keep the season, and McGwire’s chance, alive. Mathews fell behind 0-2 before taking three straight balls from Ford. On a 3-2 fastball, Mathews yanked it in the hole into the right field. McGwire would get his chance. He fouled a first pitch fastball straight back, throwing his head back in disgust, fearing he missed the only good pitch he would see. He took a slider for strike 2, then got just a piece of another fastball to stay alive. Then he made history, scalding an 0-2 pitch into the left-center field seats some 430 feet away. It was a surreal moment, as the crowd applauded the record in a somewhat uneasy fashion, thrilled at the history they had witnessed while recognizing it couldn’t prevent what was coming in mere minutes..a final out to their season as the Tides had come all the way back from a 5 ½ game deficit a month earlier, overcoming criticism of all the things they DIDN’T do well, to win their third division title in four years. The incredible Tris Speaker went 8-for-11 in the series sweep.  Number 51 looked fantastic, but came in a crushing defeat for Memphis. NL EAST PENNANT RACE When September began, the Boston Riders held a ½ game lead of the Louisville Racers, the rest of the division having fallen by the wayside. These two teams were to meet 9 times before the end of the season, setting up a second thrilling race for the division. Could it match what transpired between St. Louis and Memphis? Sept. 4-6: Boston strikes first, taking two out of three at home. Johnny Schmitz goes the distance in a 3-1 win in the opener, backed by three hits from Honus Wagner. Jim Lefebvre homered in the 9th off Hippo Vaughn to break a 4-4 tie to even the series for Louisville in Game Two. But Boston got what it needed from ace Steve Carlton in the series finale, a complete game 8-hitter in a 12-1 pounding of the Racers. At the series’ end, the teams were tied for first. Johnny Schmitz shrugged off a disappointing season to come up big for Boston against Louisville. Before they next met on Sept. 22, Boston stumbled to a 5-9 run, including losing 2 of 3 in Philly before getting swept in New York. Louisville, meanwhile, went 9-5 over the stretch, taking 3 of 4 in New York after sweeping Milwaukee during the run. So when the next series kicked off, the Riders had lost all the momentum of their series victory, and now trailed by 4 games. Sept. 22-24: Rico Petrocelli hit two homers in the opener and three total in the series as the Racers cemented their claim and put a fork in Boston it seemed, sweeping the Riders 8-7, 6-3, 9-3 to build a 7-game lead with 9 remaining.  Rico Petrocelli hit a 3 homers in a sweep of Boston. Boston caught a break when Louisville was swept at home by Philadelphia while Boston swept New York to cut the deficit to 4. Boston was set to play the Ringers for three, while Louisville had to contend with the West-leading Indianapolis Engines. Boston dropped 2 of 3, though, the pain of which was exacerbated by Louisville’s clutch performance in taking 2 of 3 in Indy, making an insurmountable 5-game deficit heading into a 3-game season closer that in the end meant nothing.
FINAL LEADERS
FINAL 2020 BATTING STATS
FINAL 2020 PITCHING STATS
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 02-07-2011 at 07:40 PM. |
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2020 Postseason Preview Northern League Championship Series  vs  Louisville Racers (89-73) vs Indianapolis Engines (96-66) LOUISVILLE RACERS
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2020 Postseason Preview Southern League Championship Series  vs  St. Louis Tides (85-77) vs Los Angeles Idols (90-72) ST. LOUIS TIDES
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2020 Northern League Championship Series Rreview vs Louisville Racers (89-73) vs Indianapolis Engines (96-66) GAME ONE Joe H. Coleman gets greeted rudely as the Engines bang out 12 runs in 14 hits and 7 walks, getting two homers and 5 RBI from rookie Mike Greenwell. Six Indianapolis hitters had two hits, as the Engines gave Lary Sorensen a mountain of run support to take the series lead. Indianapolis 12, Louisville 4.  Mike Greenwell went deep twice in the series opener.
GAME TWO Louisville's Edinson Volquez allowed 2 walks and 10 hits over 6 1/3 innings, but allowed only one run. Indianapolis needed more, as starter Adam Wainwright was knocked around for 5 runs, 4 earned, over 6 2/3. Both Rico Petrocelli and Jerry Mumphrey went deep for Louisville, which evened the series and stole home field advantage as they head home for three. Louisville 6, Indianapolis 1 (series tied 1-1).  Edinson Volquez tiptoed in and out of trouble but never broke.
GAME THREE Indianapolis acquired Ed Walsh from Philadelphia before the trade deadline with the hope of deepening their rotation for the postseason. But in his first postseason effort for the Engines, Walsh struggled. Louisville put up a 4-run third, the big blow a 2-run double from Rico Petrocelli, who has scalded the ball in the series' early going. That was plenty for Vic Raschi, who went 8 1/3 before tiring. Louisville legend Roy Oswalt got the final two outs to give the Racers the series edge. Fred Dunlap homered twice for Indianapolis in the loss. Louisville 6, Indianapolis 4 (Louisville leads series 2-1).  Rico Petrocelli watches his 2-run double head into the leftfield corner.
Game Four Indianapolis manager Bill McKechnie waited too long to go to the Northern League's number two bullpen. After homers from Mike Greenwell and Doug Decinces turned a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead in the 8th inning, McKechnie let Lary Sorensen start the 8th. It was first and second before the bullpen got in. Leon Day walked Rico Petrocelli, Doc White allowed a game-tying single to Len Dykstra followed by an RBI single from Robin Yount. Ned Williamson tacked on a SAC Fly for a 6-4 Louisville lead. Joe H. Coleman started the 9th and it seemed Racers skipper Bill Virdon could make the same mistake. One run scored before reliever Hong Chi Kuo entered, but he struck out pinch hitter Andres Galarraga and got Les Nunamaker to ground out, stranding the tying run at second and giving Louisville a 3-1 series lead. Louisville 6, Indianapolis 5 (Louisville leads series 3-1).  Len Dykstra's 8th inning single broke a 4-4 tie.
GAME FIVE Adam Wainwright righted the ship for Indianapolis and the Mike Greenwell/Doug DeCinces tandem went deep in the same inning for the second time this series. But it was Decinces' second homer of the game, a shot off Hong Chi Kuo to lead off the top of the 12th in a 4-4 game, that proved biggest, letting Indianapolis get the series back onto home turf. The Engines had blown a 4-1 lead, surrendering single runs to Louisville in the 7th, 8th and 9th - the latter two being unearned - to force extra innings. Josh Beckett threw two hitless innings for Indianapolis for the win. Indianapolis 5, Louisville 4 (12 innings) (Louisville leads series 3-2).  Doug DeCinces belts a 12th-inning homer that kept Indianapolis alive.
GAME SIX When they were up 2-1 in the series, Louisville brought Joe Coleman back on short rest, wanting to keep Indianapolis down. But now, up 3-2, the Racers decided to use their number four, Gene Conley, to leave all hands on deck for Game 7 if it proved necessary. It didn't, as Conley beat Ed Walsh and the Racers broke a 1-1 tie in the 7th with two off Walsh then made it stand up en route to a 4-2 series-ending victory. Smoky Burgess had four hits and an RBI for Louisville. Louisville 4, Indianapolis 2 (Louisville wins series 4-2).  Gene Conley was all smiles after his clinching victory for Louisville in Game 6.
SERIES MVP  Rico Petrocelli (.400, 1 HR, 4 RBI) |
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