1917 North Carolina State League — Developmental League Report
Patriots win another D-League crown
1917 D-LEAGUE STANDINGS
Code:
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Greensboro Junior Patriots 54 37 .593 - 56-35 -2 27-19 27-18 7-4 16-14 Clinched W1 6-4
Raleigh Junior Capitals 53 38 .582 1.0 53-38 0 25-20 28-18 7-6 18-12 L3 5-5
Charlotte Junior Hornets 48 42 .533 5.5 50-40 -2 23-22 25-20 7-4 13-16 W1 5-5
Asheville Junior Mountaineers 44 46 .489 9.5 44-46 0 24-21 20-25 3-8 18-14 W1 4-6
Durham Junior Bulls 41 49 .456 12.5 42-48 -1 20-25 21-24 8-6 15-17 L1 2-8
Winston-Salem Junior Twins 31 59 .344 22.5 31-59 0 15-30 16-29 2-6 8-15 W2 7-3
Well, at least Greensboro fans had something to cheer about. The Junior Pats won the Developmental League for the third consecutive year (they were third in 1914 then first the next three seasons). Fans are starting to wonder why management won’t move some of these guys to the Big Club.
Charlotte fans can’t wait to see
Tim “T-Rex” Johnston join their Big Club rotation. The 22-year-old went 14-7 for the Junior Hornets, winning top pitcher honors. Though his record seems just above average, his ERA was sick -- 1.11. Johnston, who had a no-hitter in 1916, tossed six shutouts this season. He struck out 215 in 22 starts (with only 22 walks). Yikes.
Johnston did move up to the Big Club after the D-League season ended. He appeared in six games and started three, posting an 0-2 record with a 3.88 ERA. Obviously, T-Rex still has some work to do. He fanned 19 but walked 13. No hurries, Charlotte’s in good shape as we saw in 1917.
Wyatt Sexton of the Durham Junior Bulls was the D-League’s top hitter. Sexton batted .264 with a D-League best nine home runs in 78 games.
Three D-League pitchers tossed NO-HITTERS in 1917 -- Asheville’s
Israel Soliz, Durham’s
Kent Pugh (PERFECT GAME!) and Greensboro’s
Johnny Ward (the No. 1 pick in the 1915 draft). More hope for the Patriots! Ward was one defensive error from a perfect game.