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No Pepper · 08-01-2008, 09:06 AM

Slippery Elm Boy Update 1905

Frank Corridon and Elmer Stricklett, our minor league but very important early spitball brothers are no longer in organized baseball, having been dropped from their respective teams to find work elsewhere. Both exhibited erratic control and could never establish consistency required for the majors. It is irony that the fellows they passed their knowledge to have fared much better and have done so on the big stage. Bill Dineen and Tom Hughes had to make up for the loss of star Cy Young in Boston in 1905. Despite being the workhorse of the two, Dineen suffered his worst season since 1902, which was a hitter’s year, and with 1905 having lower offensive numbers and Dineen approaching 30, we may have seen his peak. Hughes repeated a solid performance from a year ago and got more support, winning 18. Ex-Pilgrim Norwood Gibson was traded to the PCL.

In Chicago, Harry Howell flipped his record from a year ago (22-16) after consulting with Ed Walsh about his grip and choice of expectorant. Finding licorice to be his ticket, Howell kept batters to a .235 average and struck out twice more than he walked in his second straight year. Big Ed Walsh used a heavy shine ball in his first full season, enjoying a similar record with Howell but struck out seventy more batters (231) and had five shutouts. The rookie already commands the strike zone at 24 years of age and should be one of the best practitioners of the shine ball for years to come.

Big Ed Walsh, Chicago

In St. Louis, former American Leaguers George Winter and 1904 World’s Series star Cy Morgan had forgettable seasons in 1905. Winter lost 24 games and command of his emery ball after leaving Walsh and Chicago. Morgan was inexplicably relegated to relief work. New to the shine ball, the Cubs’ Bob Ewing failed miserably in trying to work his new pitch into his repertoire, suffering through 28 losses. Noodles Hahn in Cincinnati continues to pitch strong, enjoying his fifth 20-win season in his 7-year career. On September 26, Hahn demonstrated the virtues of the spitball on a pitcher’s arm, logging an amazing 18 innings against Boston in a 2-1 victory. In Cleveland, Earl Moore continues to be as solid as they come while ex-Pirate/minor leaguer Cy Falkenberg surprised everyone with a tremendous season, winning 26 contests and striking out 240 batsmen. Falkenberg nearly took home the pitching triple crown by tying in wins, coming third in ERA (1.98) and one strikeout behind leader Chief Bender of Philadelphia.

Noodles Hahn, Cincinnati

Cy Falkenberg, Cleveland

Jack Chesbro may have finally found his rhythm this year, having won 20 games for the champion New York club. His 2.21 ERA was nearly a run better than last year and kept batters noticeably more uncomfortable at the plate. He claims a switch to a different brand of tobacco and the presence of Cy Young, who some claim he tried to convert, as reasons for his success. But yet again, a teammate managed to have an even better year, perhaps beginners’ luck. Bill Hogg went 26-11 with a 1.74 ERA to lead the league. Although he kept hits to a minimum, his spitball often strayed from its intended target, leading to a league-leading 149 walks. His control hurt him in the playoffs versus Pittsburg, losing both games he pitched in and made some wonder how much of a big game pitcher the young right-hander is.

Bill Hogg, New York

Across town, Hooks Wiltse took the National League by storm for the resurgent Giants much like Hogg had done for the Highlanders yet displayed better control and struck out 226 batsmen. Wiltse tied with Ambrose Puttmann with 8 shutouts and pitched a one-hitter versus the Reds. Clark Griffith had another amazing year at his advanced age (35), recording his eighth 20-win season, second consecutive in Pittsburgh. He pitches to contact but is losing endurance, having only gone the distance 10 times in 39 starts.

Hooks Wiltse, New York

Author's Note: I've decided against importing the spitballers during the year of their professional debut. While not too much work by itself, I've overlooked a few duplicates when they import automatically. I'm not reporting minor league statistics (league totals are way off) and importing early reduces ratings compared to the auto-import ratings, even with recalc on. And, with recalc on, any ratings edits I do according to the Matrix, will be "erased". I'll zip through 1906, set up my feeder leagues for '07 and begin taking on your fictional characters for "Crazy '08".

08-01-2008, 09:06 AM	#77 (permalink)
No Pepper All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,036 Thanks: 46 Thanked 171x in 75 posts	Slippery Elm Boy Update 1905 Frank Corridon and Elmer Stricklett, our minor league but very important early spitball brothers are no longer in organized baseball, having been dropped from their respective teams to find work elsewhere. Both exhibited erratic control and could never establish consistency required for the majors. It is irony that the fellows they passed their knowledge to have fared much better and have done so on the big stage. Bill Dineen and Tom Hughes had to make up for the loss of star Cy Young in Boston in 1905. Despite being the workhorse of the two, Dineen suffered his worst season since 1902, which was a hitter’s year, and with 1905 having lower offensive numbers and Dineen approaching 30, we may have seen his peak. Hughes repeated a solid performance from a year ago and got more support, winning 18. Ex-Pilgrim Norwood Gibson was traded to the PCL. In Chicago, Harry Howell flipped his record from a year ago (22-16) after consulting with Ed Walsh about his grip and choice of expectorant. Finding licorice to be his ticket, Howell kept batters to a .235 average and struck out twice more than he walked in his second straight year. Big Ed Walsh used a heavy shine ball in his first full season, enjoying a similar record with Howell but struck out seventy more batters (231) and had five shutouts. The rookie already commands the strike zone at 24 years of age and should be one of the best practitioners of the shine ball for years to come. Big Ed Walsh, Chicago In St. Louis, former American Leaguers George Winter and 1904 World’s Series star Cy Morgan had forgettable seasons in 1905. Winter lost 24 games and command of his emery ball after leaving Walsh and Chicago. Morgan was inexplicably relegated to relief work. New to the shine ball, the Cubs’ Bob Ewing failed miserably in trying to work his new pitch into his repertoire, suffering through 28 losses. Noodles Hahn in Cincinnati continues to pitch strong, enjoying his fifth 20-win season in his 7-year career. On September 26, Hahn demonstrated the virtues of the spitball on a pitcher’s arm, logging an amazing 18 innings against Boston in a 2-1 victory. In Cleveland, Earl Moore continues to be as solid as they come while ex-Pirate/minor leaguer Cy Falkenberg surprised everyone with a tremendous season, winning 26 contests and striking out 240 batsmen. Falkenberg nearly took home the pitching triple crown by tying in wins, coming third in ERA (1.98) and one strikeout behind leader Chief Bender of Philadelphia. Noodles Hahn, Cincinnati Cy Falkenberg, Cleveland Jack Chesbro may have finally found his rhythm this year, having won 20 games for the champion New York club. His 2.21 ERA was nearly a run better than last year and kept batters noticeably more uncomfortable at the plate. He claims a switch to a different brand of tobacco and the presence of Cy Young, who some claim he tried to convert, as reasons for his success. But yet again, a teammate managed to have an even better year, perhaps beginners’ luck. Bill Hogg went 26-11 with a 1.74 ERA to lead the league. Although he kept hits to a minimum, his spitball often strayed from its intended target, leading to a league-leading 149 walks. His control hurt him in the playoffs versus Pittsburg, losing both games he pitched in and made some wonder how much of a big game pitcher the young right-hander is. Bill Hogg, New York Across town, Hooks Wiltse took the National League by storm for the resurgent Giants much like Hogg had done for the Highlanders yet displayed better control and struck out 226 batsmen. Wiltse tied with Ambrose Puttmann with 8 shutouts and pitched a one-hitter versus the Reds. Clark Griffith had another amazing year at his advanced age (35), recording his eighth 20-win season, second consecutive in Pittsburgh. He pitches to contact but is losing endurance, having only gone the distance 10 times in 39 starts. Hooks Wiltse, New York Author's Note: I've decided against importing the spitballers during the year of their professional debut. While not too much work by itself, I've overlooked a few duplicates when they import automatically. I'm not reporting minor league statistics (league totals are way off) and importing early reduces ratings compared to the auto-import ratings, even with recalc on. And, with recalc on, any ratings edits I do according to the Matrix, will be "erased". I'll zip through 1906, set up my feeder leagues for '07 and begin taking on your fictional characters for "Crazy '08". __________________ Current Dynasty: The Slippery Elm Boys Historical Uniforms: Major, Minor, Latin and Negro Leagues 19th century uniforms and templates. Logo Collection Last edited by No Pepper; 08-06-2008 at 08:18 AM.