Pastime Baseball League
April Review (cont.)
It's a new beginning in the Pastime Baseball League, but some things remain the same. And despite a change of manager, the New York Heroes still find themselves on top of the Northern League's East Division.
The Heroes sport four .300 hitters as of May 1, including a resurgent David Wright (.324-3-16), who vowed last year's hideous performance would not be repeated. Though Jim McCormick (1-4, 5.06) is off to a tough start, the tandem of Frank Killen (4-1, 2.43) and Bill Byrd (3-2, 2.76) remains strong. Closer Jonathan Papelbon has recovered from the injury that ended his season last year to go unscored upon in his first 10 outings this season, with 8 saves.
Only a game back are the Philadelphia Ringers, in what figures to be a heated rivalry after Philadelphia's role in the end of last season. The feud may go deeper with Louisville than New York - since New York made the playoffs - but nonetheless there's no love lost there. Way too early for that talk, though. For now, Philadelphia will be pleased to have made it through a road-heavy first month (18 away, 9 home) above .500. Also positive is the contribution of rookie Andre Dawson (.299-2-11), who was given the centerfield job as John O'Rourke (.227-9-19) was moved to DH. Add the work of fellow rookie Steve Trout (0-1, 2 SV, 2.61) and Philadelphia feels good. One downer? Satchel Paige (3-1, 5.24) leads the team in wins but hasn't been sharp.
The Charlotte Cougars are trying to stay positive, but it's a tough go. They traded 1B Harry Davis (.247-23-78) to Las Vegas for Andy Sonnanstine (14-12, 4.13) in the hopes of improving their pitching staff. But 1B replacement Pedro Feliz (.170-0-4) isn't getting it done, and Sonnanstine was knocked around in the spring before being diagnosed with a partially torn labrum, and is expected to be out until sometime in June. Consider that Ben Sheets threw a complete game 1-hitter against New York in his first start of the year, and has since lost four in a row with an ERA over 7. For now, Matt Holliday (.398-3-17) and John Beckwith (.295-7-23) are the lone bright spots. And yet, they are only 2 1/2 out...for now.
Roy Oswalt (4-1, 3.51) has four wins...the Louisville Racers have nine total. That sums it up, pretty much. While New York had adapted well to their managerial change, Louisville has stumbled out of the gate under new manager Jimy Williams. One guy not struggling is Brian Roberts (.425-3-17), who leads the Northern League in batting.
Out West, the story isn't who's in first, but who's in last. The Wichita Brigade have started 12-15, sporting a strong offense but the NL's worst pitching staff, which took a devastating blow when Al Orth went down in his first start of the year and has been knocked out for the season with a torn UCL that will require Tommy John Surgery. That followed the spring injury to Jake Westbrook that put him out for the year, and preceded by a week the shoulder strain to new acquisition Rube Foster that will shelve him until June. Rube Waddell (5-1, 2.98) leads the league in strikeouts and looks great, and Jay Gibbons (.366-11-30) has picked up where he left off last season.
For now, though, the leaders are the Indianapolis Engines, who despite subpar starting pitching lead the way behind a strong offense and the league's best bullpen (a 1.98 collective ERA). Wally Pipp (.379-3-22) has taken over at first base and done so brilliantly, moving reigning batting champ Jake Beckley (.375-3-14) to DH. Add Elmer Flick (.357-6-18) and the Engines are roaring out of the gates.
He's deflecting praise right now, but don't think former New York skipper Pat Moran doesn't feel great with the 15-10 start for his Chicago Hitmen. Cy Young hurt his shoulder in his third start and will miss four months. Adam Dunn tore a ligament in his ankle a week into the season and will be out until June. Joe Bush tore the labrum in his shoulder and will be out until at least August. No problem. Eddie Waitkus is hitting .423, Albert Pujols is hitting .323 and Johan Santana has five wins already. So does Howie Pollet, who is 5-0 with a 1.33 ERA.
Then there are the Sacramento Stingers, who had what was widely praised as a strong draft. Top overall pick Mario Soto has great promise...he made it two innings into his first PBL start before leaving with a torn UCL. He's tabled for Tommy John Surgery and out for the season. Second-round pick Paul Molitor hit .368 in spring training, had a three-hit, 4 RBI game in his fifth PBL game, then separated his shoulder the next day and is out another month. It may be time to consider that Sacramento is a cursed franchise, though that they managed a 12-15 month in the face of these two disappointments says something.
AWARDS
Player of the Week
4/9 CF Paul Hines - Charlotte Cougars
4/16 RF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade
4/23 RF Elmer Flick - Indianapolis Engines
4/30 RF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade
Hitter of the Month
RF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade
Pitcher of the Month
Howie Pollet - Chicago Hitmen
Rookie of the Month
1B Wally Pipp - Indianapolis Engines