Pastime Baseball League
April Review
EAST DIVISION
Apparently the Memphis Strummers haven't gotten the memo that offense is down around the league. Led by rookie stalwart Willie Stargell (.404-9-37) and the league's best player, Oscar Charleston (.402-2-22), the Strummers have posted 196 runs in 26 games for a 7.6 average. Ty Wigginton is hitting .340 and has already driven in 27 runs, and Nick Johnson, batting leadoff despite a complete lack of speed, has scored 36 runs. On the hill, Jesse Tannehill went down with a torn elbow ligament and will be out for the year. But Tim Lincecum (3-1, 3.28) and new acquisition John Lackey (4-1, 3.32) have led the staff during the strong start.
Meanwhile, the defending champion New Orleans Knights are bracing for a challenge. They've started 17-9, but it seems clear Memphis is going to be formidable. Erik Bedard and Doc McJames have gotten off to rocky starts, but Dontrelle Willis (4-0, 3.52), Mark Prior (2-2, 3.26) and Rich Harden (1-0, 2.41). John O'Rourke is again leading the league in homers, with 10, while Sam Thompson is his usual steady self (.292-6-27).
Jorge Cantu (8) and Mike Tiernan (7) have hit 15 of the Alabama Airmen's 31 homers, but the story here is Eppa Rixey. Drafted in the second round of the 2009 Amateur Draft, Rixey languished on the reserve squad for two years before a rough year in the bullpen last season. But he's 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA to start 2013, and could make a solid 1-2 punch with Dan Haren. It's a tough division to make headway in, though.
The Orlando Orcas sit at .500, mediocre in all aspects. They are running, sending Nap Lajoie (.361-3-22, 5 SBs) and Honus Wagner (.234-2-13, 6 SB) often, and Cap Anson (.290-6-22) has gotten off well. But Sam Crawford has only 9 RBI thus far and the duo of Barry Zito and Red Munger are 2-6 with a 6.58 ERA. If either of them continue to struggle, explain recent draftee Denny McLain to get a call.
The St. Louis Tides lost 8 of their first 9, but have gone 9-8 since then despite a 3-game sweep against New Orleans. There's nothing great and nothing horrible thus far. First rounder Fergie Jenkins (3-3, 4.78) has been brilliant twice, hammered three times and adequate the other. Curtis Granderson has five homers, and Art Shamsky has four. Nobody else has more than two.