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firstbigweekend · 05-10-2004, 08:54 PM

Cleveland Blues Update — June/July 1901
By Chauncey St. John, Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Finally fed up with the losing, Cleveland general manager Levi Chronister really started looking to the future at the beginning of June.

Chronister dealt Doc Newton, who had come over from Cincinnati before the season, and shortstop Russ Hall back to the Reds for 21-year-old starter Jonathan Paynter and $75,000. At the time of the trade, Newton had an AL-worst 11 losses and had refused a contract extension with the Blues, citing his desire to play for a winning team next season.

"I really thought Doc had a bright future here and could have turned into a star at the top of our rotation in a couple years," Chronister said after the deal. "Unfortunately, he didn't want to stick around through the building years, so we dealt him as a favor and so we could get something rather than just lose him on to free agency."

Vernon Duffield was called up from AAA Buffalo to replace Newton in the rotation. The 29-year-old Duffield was 8-1 with a 3.39 ERA in 10 starts for the Bisons. Paynter was sent to A Kinston, though Chronister said he expected Paynter to be promoted to AA Akron before the end of the season.

Newton wouldn't sign an extension at the beginning of the month, but two Blues players did — right fielder Sam Crawford and starting pitcher Earl Moore. Crawford signed a three-year deal worth $8 million a year, and Moore inked a three-yeare contract worth $2 million a season.

"We may have paid more than we can afford right now for Sam," Chronister said, "but there's no question we want him to be a cornerstone of our franchise. I hope this financial committment proves that to him and that he's more open to discussing a long-term contract during the 1904 season.

"Earl's extension was easy to agree to. He's young, talented and just getting better. We got him for three more years at barely over half a million extra per year. We think we came out smelling like roses on this one."

Trying to shake up the team a bit more, Chronister promoted left fielder Jeffrey Schank on June 11. Cleveland manager Wilbur Nether juggled the lineup, putting Schank in left, moving Matty McIntyre to center, Watty Lee to right, Crawford to DH and Bill Bradley to 3B. George Rohe went to the bench, where he'll be a super-sub in the infield.

All of the team's moves finally panned out in late June when the Blues started a nine-game winning streak that carried over into the beginning of July. Part of the team's success could be attributed to Schank, who started slow upon reaching the majors but hit .377/.417/.636 with five homers and 19 RBI in July.

Duffield also played a big role during Cleveland's winning streak, striking out a total of nine batters in two complete game victories and earning player of the week honors July 5.

In the minors: Catcher Brian Tally continued his strong hitting in Akron and was called up to Buffalo on June 11. Tally has played well in his month and a half in New York and is likely to see action in Cleveland before the end of the season. Bill Morell moved into the starting catcher position in Akron.

Around the league: The American League won the inaugural All-Star game, 5-3, on June 30. Baltimore's Mike Donlin was the player of the game, going 2-of-3 with a home run. Cleveland first baseman Harry Davis made the game as a defensive replacement late, and Blues closer Steven Fava also was named to the team but did not pitch. Fava leads the AL with five saves through July.

June batters of the month: Washington's Sam Dugan (.374, 1 HR, 25 RBI) and Cincinnati's Jake Beckley (.429, 3 HR, 23 RBI).

June pitchers of the month: Baltimore's Joe McGinnity (6-1, 2.08 ERA) and Brooklyn's Doc McJames (5-1, 2.00)

July batters of the month: Philadelphia A's Nap Lajoie (.390, .648 SLG, 20 RBI) and Philadelphia Phillies' Ed Delahanty (.370, .590 SLG, 23 RBI).

July pitchers of the month: Baltimore's Joe McGinnity (6-1, 2.00 ERA) and Pittsburgh's Bill Donovan (6-1, 1.60; Brooklyn traded Donovan to Pittsburgh for SP Deacon Phillippe on July 29).

League files have been updated.

05-10-2004, 08:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
firstbigweekend Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Cleveland Blues Update — June/July 1901 By Chauncey St. John, Associated Press CLEVELAND — Finally fed up with the losing, Cleveland general manager Levi Chronister really started looking to the future at the beginning of June. Chronister dealt Doc Newton, who had come over from Cincinnati before the season, and shortstop Russ Hall back to the Reds for 21-year-old starter Jonathan Paynter and $75,000. At the time of the trade, Newton had an AL-worst 11 losses and had refused a contract extension with the Blues, citing his desire to play for a winning team next season. "I really thought Doc had a bright future here and could have turned into a star at the top of our rotation in a couple years," Chronister said after the deal. "Unfortunately, he didn't want to stick around through the building years, so we dealt him as a favor and so we could get something rather than just lose him on to free agency." Vernon Duffield was called up from AAA Buffalo to replace Newton in the rotation. The 29-year-old Duffield was 8-1 with a 3.39 ERA in 10 starts for the Bisons. Paynter was sent to A Kinston, though Chronister said he expected Paynter to be promoted to AA Akron before the end of the season. Newton wouldn't sign an extension at the beginning of the month, but two Blues players did — right fielder Sam Crawford and starting pitcher Earl Moore. Crawford signed a three-year deal worth $8 million a year, and Moore inked a three-yeare contract worth $2 million a season. "We may have paid more than we can afford right now for Sam," Chronister said, "but there's no question we want him to be a cornerstone of our franchise. I hope this financial committment proves that to him and that he's more open to discussing a long-term contract during the 1904 season. "Earl's extension was easy to agree to. He's young, talented and just getting better. We got him for three more years at barely over half a million extra per year. We think we came out smelling like roses on this one." Trying to shake up the team a bit more, Chronister promoted left fielder Jeffrey Schank on June 11. Cleveland manager Wilbur Nether juggled the lineup, putting Schank in left, moving Matty McIntyre to center, Watty Lee to right, Crawford to DH and Bill Bradley to 3B. George Rohe went to the bench, where he'll be a super-sub in the infield. All of the team's moves finally panned out in late June when the Blues started a nine-game winning streak that carried over into the beginning of July. Part of the team's success could be attributed to Schank, who started slow upon reaching the majors but hit .377/.417/.636 with five homers and 19 RBI in July. Duffield also played a big role during Cleveland's winning streak, striking out a total of nine batters in two complete game victories and earning player of the week honors July 5. In the minors: Catcher Brian Tally continued his strong hitting in Akron and was called up to Buffalo on June 11. Tally has played well in his month and a half in New York and is likely to see action in Cleveland before the end of the season. Bill Morell moved into the starting catcher position in Akron. Around the league: The American League won the inaugural All-Star game, 5-3, on June 30. Baltimore's Mike Donlin was the player of the game, going 2-of-3 with a home run. Cleveland first baseman Harry Davis made the game as a defensive replacement late, and Blues closer Steven Fava also was named to the team but did not pitch. Fava leads the AL with five saves through July. June batters of the month: Washington's Sam Dugan (.374, 1 HR, 25 RBI) and Cincinnati's Jake Beckley (.429, 3 HR, 23 RBI). June pitchers of the month: Baltimore's Joe McGinnity (6-1, 2.08 ERA) and Brooklyn's Doc McJames (5-1, 2.00) July batters of the month: Philadelphia A's Nap Lajoie (.390, .648 SLG, 20 RBI) and Philadelphia Phillies' Ed Delahanty (.370, .590 SLG, 23 RBI). July pitchers of the month: Baltimore's Joe McGinnity (6-1, 2.00 ERA) and Pittsburgh's Bill Donovan (6-1, 1.60; Brooklyn traded Donovan to Pittsburgh for SP Deacon Phillippe on July 29). League files have been updated. __________________ -- Life, its beauty, is all bound up in the fact it can surprise you. Last edited by firstbigweekend; 05-10-2004 at 08:56 PM.